Apparel And Other Products Incorporating A Thermoplastic Polymer Material

ABSTRACT

A yarn or thread may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Various woven textiles and knitted textiles may be formed from the yarn or thread. The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be thermal bonded to other elements to form seams. A strand that is at least partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material may extend through the seam, and the strand may be thermal bonded at the seam. 
     The woven textiles or knitted textiles may be shaped or molded, incorporated into products, and recycled to form other products.

BACKGROUND

A variety of articles are at least partially formed from textiles. Asexamples, apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets andother outerwear, briefs and other undergarments, hats and otherheadwear), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and upholstery forfurniture (e.g., chairs, couches, car seats) are often formed fromvarious textile elements that are joined through stitching or adhesivebonding. Textiles may also be utilized in bed coverings (e.g., sheets,blankets), table coverings, towels, flags, tents, sails, and parachutes.Textiles utilized for industrial purposes are commonly referred to astechnical textiles and may include structures for automotive andaerospace applications, filter materials, medical textiles (e.g.bandages, swabs, implants), geotextiles for reinforcing embankments,agrotextiles for crop protection, and industrial apparel that protectsor insulates against heat and radiation. Accordingly, textiles may beincorporated into a variety of articles for both personal and industrialpurposes.

Textiles may be defined as any manufacture from fibers, filaments, oryarns having a generally two-dimensional structure (i.e., a length and awidth that are substantially greater than a thickness). In general,textiles may be classified as non-woven textiles ormechanically-manipulated textiles. Non-woven textiles are webs or matsof filaments that are bonded, fused, interlocked, or otherwise joined.As an example, a non-woven textile may be formed by randomly depositinga plurality of polymer filaments upon a surface, such as a movingconveyor. Mechanically-manipulated textiles are often formed by weavingor interlooping (e.g., knitting) a yarn or a plurality of yarns, usuallythrough a mechanical process involving looms or knitting machines.Whereas woven textiles include yarns that cross each other at rightangles (i.e., warp and weft yarns), knitted textiles include one or moreyarns that form a plurality of intermeshed loops arranged in courses andwales.

Although some products are formed from one type of textile, manyproducts are formed from two or more types of textiles in order toimpart different properties to different areas. As an example, shoulderand elbow areas of a shirt may be formed from a textile that impartsdurability (e.g., abrasion-resistance) and stretch-resistance, whereasother areas may be formed from a textile that imparts breathability,comfort, stretch, and moisture-absorption. As another example, an upperfor an article of footwear may have a structure that includes numerouslayers formed from various types of textiles and other materials (e.g.,polymer foam, leather, synthetic leather), and some of the layers mayalso have areas formed from different types of textiles to impartdifferent properties. As yet another example, straps of a backpack maybe formed from non-stretch textile elements, lower areas of a backpackmay be formed from durable and water-resistant textile elements, and aremainder of the backpack may be formed from lightweight and complianttextile elements. Accordingly, many products may incorporate varioustypes of textiles in order to impart different properties to differentportions of the products.

In order to impart the different properties to different areas of aproduct, textile elements formed from the materials must be cut todesired shapes and then joined together, usually with stitching oradhesive bonding. As the number and types of textile elementsincorporated into a product increases, the time and expense associatedwith transporting, stocking, cutting, and joining the textile elementsmay also increase. Waste material from cutting and stitching processesalso accumulates to a greater degree as the number and types of textileelements incorporated into a product increases. Moreover, products witha greater number of textile elements and other materials may be moredifficult to recycle than products formed from few elements andmaterials. By decreasing the number of elements and materials utilizedin a product, therefore, waste may be decreased while increasing themanufacturing efficiency and recyclability.

SUMMARY

A yarn may include a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, withat least ninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being athermoplastic polymer material.

A thread may include a first yarn and a second yarn. The first yarnincludes a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at leastninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplasticpolymer material. The second yarn is twisted with the first yarn.

A woven textile may include a warp strand and a weft strand. The warpstrand extends in a first direction and includes a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments, with at least ninety-five percent of amaterial of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material. Theweft strand extends in a second direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction.

A knitted textile may include at least one strand that forms a pluralityof interlocked loops arranged in courses and wales. The strand includesa plurality of substantially aligned filaments, with at leastninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplasticpolymer material.

An article may include a first material element, a second materialelement, and a seam. The first material element is at least partiallyformed from a first thermoplastic polymer material, and the firstmaterial element is one of a woven textile and a knitted textile. At theseam, a strand extends through each of the first material element andthe second material element, the strand being at least partially formedfrom a second thermoplastic polymer material. The first material elementis thermal bonded to the second material element with the firstthermoplastic polymer material at the seam. Additionally, the strand isthermal bonded to the first material element and the second materialelement with the second thermoplastic polymer material at the seam.

A method of joining includes stitching a pair of textile elementstogether with a strand to form a seam. The textile elements and thestrand are heated and compressed at the seam to (a) form a thermal bondbetween the textile elements and (b) melt the strand.

An article of apparel includes a plurality of textile elements joined toeach other at seams to form a structure for receiving a part of awearer. The textile elements include strands that have a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments formed from a thermoplastic polymermaterial.

The advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of theinvention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. Togain an improved understanding of the advantages and features ofnovelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptivematter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate variousconfigurations and concepts related to the invention.

FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS

The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a yarn.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the yarn, as defined in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of a thread.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thread, as defined in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views depicting further configurations of thethread.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a woven textile.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the woven textile, as defined inFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a knitted textile.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the knitted textile, as defined inFIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view depicting a further configuration of the knittedtextile.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views corresponding with FIG. 2 anddepicting examples of fused configurations of the yarn.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional views corresponding with FIG. 4 anddepicting examples of fused configurations of the thread.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the woven textile with a fused region.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the woven textile, as defined inFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is another plan view of the woven textile with a fused region.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the woven textile, as defined inFIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of the knitted textile with a fused region.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of the knitted textile, as defined inFIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is another plan view of the knitted textile with a fused region.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the knitted textile, as defined inFIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a plan view of the woven textile with multiple fused regions.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a composite element.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the composite element, as definedin FIG. 25.

FIGS. 27A-27C are schematic perspective views of a manufacturing processfor the composite element.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the composite element with a fusedregion.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a first configuration of a seamelement.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the first configuration of the seamelement, as defined in FIG. 29.

FIGS. 31A-31D are schematic side elevational views of a manufacturingprocess for the first configuration of the seam element.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the first configuration of the seamelement with multiple fused regions.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a second configuration of the seamelement.

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the second configuration of theseam element, as defined in FIG. 33

FIGS. 35A-35C are schematic side elevational views of a manufacturingprocess for the second configuration of the seam element.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the first configuration of the seamelement with a stitching strand.

FIGS. 37A-37C are alternate perspective views of the first configurationof the seam element with a stitching strand.

FIGS. 38A-38D are schematic side elevational views of a manufacturingprocess for the first configuration of the seam element with a stitchingstrand.

FIG. 38E is a perspective view of a portion of the manufacturing processfor the first configuration of the seam element with a stitching strand.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are graphs depicting temperature in the manufacturingprocess for the first configuration of the seam element with a stitchingstrand.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the second configuration of the seamelement with a stitching strand.

FIG. 41 is an elevational view of a first configuration of a shirt.

FIGS. 42A-42C are cross-sectional views of the first configuration ofthe shirt, as defined in FIG. 41.

FIG. 43 is an elevational view of a second configuration of the shirt.

FIGS. 44A and 44B are cross-sectional views of the second configurationof the shirt, as defined in FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is an elevational view of a third configuration of the shirt.

FIGS. 46A-46C are cross-sectional views of the third configuration ofthe shirt, as defined in FIG. 45.

FIG. 47 is an elevational view of a fourth configuration of the shirt.

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the fourth configuration of theshirt, as defined in FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 is an elevational view of a first configuration of footwear.

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the first configuration of thefootwear, as defined in FIG. 49.

FIG. 51 is an elevational view of a second configuration of thefootwear.

FIG. 52 is a cross-sectional views of the second configuration of thefootwear, as defined in FIG. 51.

FIG. 53 is an elevational view of a third configuration of the footwear.

FIG. 54 is an elevational view of a fourth configuration of thefootwear.

FIGS. 55A-55C are perspective views of shaped textiles.

FIGS. 56A-56C are schematic perspective views of a manufacturing processfor the shaped textiles.

FIG. 57 is a schematic view of a recycling process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose variousyarns, threads, and textiles formed from thermoplastic polymermaterials. Although the yarns, threads, and textiles are disclosed belowas being incorporated into various articles of apparel (e.g., shirts andfootwear) for purposes of example, the yarns, threads, and textiles mayalso be incorporated into a variety of other articles. For example, theyarns, threads, and textiles may be utilized in other types of apparel,containers, and upholstery for furniture. The yarns, threads, andtextiles may also be utilized in bed coverings, table coverings, towels,flags, tents, sails, and parachutes. Various configurations of theyarns, threads, and textiles may also be utilized for industrialpurposes, as in automotive and aerospace applications, filter materials,medical textiles, geotextiles, agrotextiles, and industrial apparel.Accordingly, the yarns, threads, and textiles may be utilized in avariety of articles for both personal and industrial purposes.

A. YARN CONFIGURATION

A section of a yarn 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 as having a configurationthat may be utilized for a variety of purposes, including sewing,stitching, and embroidering. Yarn 100 may also be utilized for making athread, cable, cord, or rope. Various textiles may also be produced fromyarn 100 through weaving and knitting, for example. Although arelatively short length of yarn 100 is shown, yarn 100 may have asignificantly greater length. More particularly, the length of yarn 100may significantly exceed one-thousand or even ten-thousand meters.Depending upon the manner in which yarn 100 is formed, yarn 100 may be aspun yarn or an air textured yarn.

Yarn 100 includes a plurality of filaments 101 that are bundled orotherwise gathered to form a generally thin and elongate structure. Thenumber of filaments 101 that are incorporated into yarn 100 may varysignificantly and may range between two and three-hundred or more.Fibers are often defined, in textile terminology, as having a relativelyshort length that ranges from one millimeter to a few centimeters ormore, whereas filaments are often defined as having a longer length thanfibers or even an indeterminate length. As utilized within the presentdocument, the term “filament” or variants thereof is intended toencompass lengths of both fibers and filaments from the textileterminology definitions. Accordingly, filaments 101 or other filamentsreferred to herein may generally have any length. As an example,therefore, filaments 101 may have a length that ranges from onemillimeter to hundreds of meters or more. Individual filaments 101 mayalso have lengths that extend through an entire length of yarn 100.

Filaments 101 are substantially aligned in yarn 100. As utilized herein,the term “substantially aligned” is intended to convey that filaments100 generally extend in a common direction, which corresponds with alongitudinal axis of yarn 100. When substantially aligned, some offilaments 101 or portions of filaments 101 may be parallel with eachother, but other filaments 101 or other portions of filaments 101 maycross each other or may extend in directions that are offset by a fewdegrees (e.g., offset in a range of zero to seven degrees) when yarn 100is tensioned, stretched, or otherwise arranged to have a linear orstraight structure.

Although filaments 101 are substantially aligned, yarn 100 is depictedas exhibiting twist, thereby imparting a rotational aspect to variousfilaments 101. More particularly, filaments 101 may be twisted aroundeach other such that some filaments 101 or sections of filaments 101have a helical structure that repeatedly wraps around the longitudinalaxis of yarn 100. Although sections of filaments 101 may be generallystraight, other sections may have a spiral or helical configuration thatimparts the twist. In some configurations, portions of filaments 100located in a central area of yarn 100 may be generally straight, whereasportions of filaments 100 located closer to a periphery or exterior ofyarn 100 may have the spiral or helical configuration. Either an S-twistor a Z-twist may be utilized in yarn 100. An advantage of the twist isthat filaments 101 are bundled more closely than in non-twist yarns toeffectively reduce the size of spaces between individual filaments 101.As such filaments 101 lay against and contact each other, as depicted inFIG. 2, to minimize the overall diameter of yarn 100. Moreover, thetwist in yarn 100 imparts the advantage of reducing fraying that mayoccur if some of filaments 101 are severed, sheared, or otherwisebroken. Although yarn 100 may exhibit twist, yarn 100 may also have astraight or untwisted configuration.

Filaments 101 are primarily formed from a thermoplastic polymermaterial. In general, a thermoplastic polymer material softens or meltswhen heated and returns to a solid state when cooled. More particularly,a thermoplastic polymer material transitions from a solid state to (a) asoftened state when heated to a glass transition temperature of thethermoplastic polymer material and (b) a generally liquid state whenheated to a melting temperature of the thermoplastic polymer material.Then, when sufficiently cooled, the thermoplastic polymer materialtransitions from the softened or liquid state to the solid state. Assuch, the thermoplastic polymer material may be softened or melted,molded, cooled, re-softened or re-melted, re-molded, and cooled againthrough multiple cycles. When heated to at least the glass transitiontemperature, thermoplastic polymer materials may also be welded, fused,or thermal bonded, as described in greater detail below, to join anelement formed from the thermoplastic polymer material to anotherobject, item, or element. In contrast with thermoplastic polymermaterials, many thermoset polymer materials do not melt when heated,simply degrading or burning instead.

Although a wide range of thermoplastic polymer materials may be utilizedfor filaments 101, examples of suitable thermoplastic polymer materialsinclude thermoplastic polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene,and polyolefin. Although filaments 101 may be formed from any of thethermoplastic polymer materials mentioned above, utilizing thermoplasticpolyurethane imparts various advantages. For example, variousformulations of thermoplastic polyurethane are elastomeric and stretchover one-hundred percent, while exhibiting relatively high stability ortensile strength. In comparison with some other thermoplastic polymermaterials, thermoplastic polyurethane readily forms thermal bonds withother elements, as discussed in greater detail below. Also,thermoplastic polyurethane may form foam materials and may be recycledto form a variety of products.

In many configurations of yarn 100, each of filaments 101 are entirelyor substantially formed from one or more thermoplastic polymermaterials. That is, at least ninety-five percent, ninety-nine percent,or one-hundred percent of a material of filaments 101 is a thermoplasticpolymer material. Advantages of substantially forming filaments 101 froma thermoplastic polymer material are uniform properties, the ability toform thermal bonds, efficient manufacture, elastomeric stretch, andrelatively high stability or tensile strength Although a singlethermoplastic polymer material may be utilized, individual filaments 101may be formed from multiple thermoplastic polymer materials. As anexample, an individual filament 101 may have a sheath-coreconfiguration, wherein an exterior sheath of the individual filament 101is formed from a first thermoplastic polymer material, and an interiorcore of the individual filament 101 is formed from a secondthermoplastic polymer material. As a similar example, an individualfilament 101 may have a bi-component configuration, wherein one half ofthe individual filament 101 is formed from a first thermoplastic polymermaterial, and an opposite half of the individual filament 101 is formedfrom a second thermoplastic polymer material. Although each of filaments101 may be formed from a common thermoplastic polymer material,different filaments 101 may also be formed from different materials. Asan example, some of filaments 101 may be formed from a first type ofthermoplastic polymer material, whereas other filaments 101 may beformed from a second type of thermoplastic polymer material.

The thermoplastic polymer material of filaments 101 may be selected tohave various stretch properties, and the material may be consideredelastomeric. Depending upon the specific properties desired for yarn100, filaments 101 may stretch between ten percent to more thaneight-hundred percent prior to tensile failure. As a related matter, thethermoplastic polymer material utilized for filaments 101 may beselected to have various recovery properties. That is, yarn 100 orfilaments 101 may be formed to return to an original shape after beingstretched. Many products that incorporate yarn 100, such as textiles andarticles of apparel formed from the textiles, may benefit fromproperties that allow yarn 100 to return or otherwise recover to anoriginal shape after being stretched by one-hundred percent or more.Although many thermoplastic polymer materials exhibit stretch andrecovery properties, thermoplastic polyurethane exhibits suitablestretch and recovery properties for various textiles and articles ofapparel.

The weight of yarn 100 may vary significantly depending upon thethicknesses of individual filaments 101, the number of filaments 101,and the specific material selected for filaments 101, for example. Ingeneral, weight is measured by the unit tex, which is the weight ingrams of a kilometer of yarn. Yarn 100 may range from fifty toone-thousand denier or more.

A variety of conventional processes may be utilized to manufacture yarn100. In general, a manufacturing process for yarn 100 includes (a)extruding or otherwise forming a plurality of filaments 101 from athermoplastic polymer material and (b) collecting or bundling filaments101. Once bundled, filaments 101 may be twisted. Depending upon thespecific characteristics desired, yarn 100 may also be subjected to anair texturing operation or other post-processing operations. Fusingprocesses, as discussed below, may also be performed to form thermalbonds between adjacent filaments 101.

B. THREAD CONFIGURATION

A thread 200 is depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 as including two yarns 201that are twisted with each other. Although the configuration of yarns201 may vary significantly, each of yarns 201 may exhibit the generalconfiguration of yarn 100 discussed above. One or both of yarns 201includes, therefore, a plurality of substantially aligned filaments 202that are substantially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Assuch, at least ninety-five percent, ninety-nine percent, or one-hundredpercent of a material of filaments 202 is a thermoplastic polymermaterial, such as thermoplastic polyurethane.

Given that two yarns 201 are twisted together, this configuration ofthread 200 may be considered a two-ply thread. In other configurations,any number of yarns 201 or other yarns may be incorporated into thread200. As an example of a three-ply threads, FIG. 5 depicts thread 200 asincorporating three yarns 201 that are twisted with each other. Asanother example, FIG. 6 depicts thread 200 as incorporating three yarns201 that are twisted together through braiding. Accordingly, the numberof yarns 201 and the manner in which yarns 201 are twisted with eachother may vary significantly.

As with yarn 100, the weight of thread 200 may vary significantlydepending upon the thicknesses of individual filaments 202, the numberof filaments 202 in each yarn 201, the material selected for filaments202, and the number of yarns 100, for example. In general, weight ismeasured by the unit denier, which is the weight in grams ofnine-thousand meters of thread. As examples, each of yarns 201 withinthread 200 may range from 50 denier to 400 denier or more.

C. TEXTILE CONFIGURATIONS

Various types of textiles may be formed from one or more strands,including either of yarn 100 and thread 200. For purposes of thefollowing discussion, the term “strand” is defined as a generallyelongate element having a length that is substantially greater than awidth and thickness. Examples of various types of strands includefilaments, yarns, threads, cables, cords, and ropes. As such, either ofyarn 100 and thread 200 may be a strand that is incorporated into atextile.

As a first example of a textile, a woven textile 300 is depicted in FIG.7 as including a plurality of warp strands 301 and weft strands 302.Whereas warp strands 301 extend in a first direction, weft strands 302extend in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to thefirst direction. Moreover, strands 301 and 302 cross each other andweave over and below each other, as depicted in FIG. 8. In manufacturingwoven textile 300, strands 301 and 302 are manipulated through a weavingprocess, which may involve a weaving machine or loom, to cross and weaveamong each other at the substantially right angles. In addition to aplain weave, various configurations of woven textile may have a twillweave, satin weave, jacquard weave, or dobby weave, for example.

Although woven textile 300 is depicted as being formed from strands 301and 302, one or more additional strands may be incorporated into thestructure of woven textile 300. For example, different warp strands,weft strands, or portions of these strands may be formed from varioustypes of strands having diverse materials, colors, or properties. Any ofstrands 301 and 302 may have the configuration of a filament, yarn,thread, cable, cord, or rope. Either or both of strands 301 and 302 mayalso exhibit the general configuration of yarn 100 or thread 200discussed above. Strands 301 and 302 may include, therefore, a pluralityof substantially aligned filaments that are substantially formed from athermoplastic polymer material. As such, at least ninety-five percent,ninety-nine percent, or one-hundred percent of a material of thefilaments or other material forming strands 301 and 302 may be athermoplastic polymer material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane. Whenstrands 301 and 302 are formed as a filament, cable, cord, or rope, suchstrands may also be substantially formed from a thermoplastic polymermaterial.

As a second example of a textile, a knitted textile 400 is depicted inFIGS. 9 and 10 as including at least one strand 401 that forms aplurality of intermeshed loops. More particularly, sections of strand401 forms various loops that extend through and are intermeshed withother loops to define a variety of courses and wales. As depicted, thecourses are horizontal rows of loops formed from strand 401, and thewales are vertical columns of loops formed from strand 401. Inmanufacturing knitted textile 400, strand 401 is manipulated through aknitting process, which may involve a knitting machine, to form andintermesh the loops, thereby defining the various of courses and wales.Although a relatively simple knit structure is depicted, numerous warpknit and weft knit structures may be formed through flat knitting, widetube circular knitting, narrow tube circular knit jacquard, single knitcircular knit jacquard, double knit circular knit jacquard, doubleneedle bar raschel, warp knit jacquard, and tricot for example.

Although knitted textile 400 is depicted as being formed from strand401, multiple strands may be incorporated into the structure of knittedtextile 400. For example, different loops, different courses, differentportions of a single course, different wales, and different portions ofa single wale may be formed from strands having diverse materials,colors, and properties.

Strand 401 may have the configuration of a filament, yarn, thread,cable, cord, or rope. Strand 401 or other strands incorporated intoknitted textile 400 may also exhibit the general configuration of yarn100 or thread 200 discussed above. Strand 401 may include, therefore, aplurality of substantially aligned filaments that are substantiallyformed from a thermoplastic polymer material. As such, at leastninety-five percent, ninety-nine percent, or one-hundred percent of amaterial of the filaments or other material forming strand 401 may be athermoplastic polymer material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane. Whenstrand 401 is formed as a filament, cable, cord, or rope, such strandsmay also be substantially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.

As a variation, knitted textile 400 may also incorporate an inlaidstrand 402, as depicted in FIG. 11. Inlaid strand 402 extends throughthe knit structure, thereby passing between the various loops withinknitted textile 400. Although inlaid strand 402 is depicted as extendingalong a course, inlaid strand 402 may also extend along a wale. Inaddition to other types of strands, inlaid strand 402 may be similar toyarn 100 or thread 200, or inlaid strand 402 may have anotherconfiguration having a plurality of substantially aligned filaments thatare substantially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.Advantages of inlaid strand 402 include providing support, stability,and structure. For example, inlaid strand 402 may assist with limitingstretch or deformation in areas of knitted textile 400 and in specificdirections. Additional details relating to inlaid strands and methods ofincorporating inlaid strands into the structure of a knitted textile maybe found with reference to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/048,540,which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on 15 Mar. 2011and entitled Method Of Manufacturing A Knitted Component, suchapplication being entirely incorporated herein by reference.

Woven textile 300 and knitted textile 400 provide examples of textilestructures that may incorporate yarn 100, thread 200, or other strandsformed from thermoplastic polymer materials. A variety of other types oftextiles may also incorporate similar strands. For example, textilesformed through crocheting or intertwining and twisting may have strandswith a plurality of substantially aligned filaments that aresubstantially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Similarly,mesh textiles, spacer mesh textiles, jersey textiles, fleece textiles,and terry loop textiles may have strands with a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments that are substantially formed from athermoplastic polymer material.

D. THERMAL BONDING OF YARNS, THREADS, AND TEXTILES

Thermal bonding is an advantage of thermoplastic polymer materials notgenerally present in yarns, threads, and textiles, for example, formedfrom natural materials (e.g., cotton, silk) and thermoset polymermaterials. As discussed above, a thermoplastic polymer material softensor melts when heated and returns to a solid state when cooled. Inaddition to permitting molding or shaping, an element formed from athermoplastic polymer material may also be welded, fused, or thermalbonded to another object, item, or element. That is, the thermoplasticpolymer material may be used to join two elements together throughthermal bonding. As utilized herein, the term “thermal bonding” orvariants thereof is defined as a securing technique between two elementsthat involves a softening or melting of a thermoplastic polymer materialwithin at least one of the elements such that the elements are securedto each other when cooled. Similarly, the term “thermal bond” orvariants thereof is defined as the bond, link, or structure that joinstwo elements through a process that involves a softening or melting of athermoplastic polymer material within at least one of the elements suchthat the elements are secured to each other when cooled.

Examples of thermal bonding include (a) the melting or softening of twoelements incorporating thermoplastic polymer materials such that thethermoplastic polymer materials intermingle with each other (e.g.,diffuse across a boundary layer between the thermoplastic polymermaterials) and are secured together when cooled; (b) the melting orsoftening of an element incorporating a thermoplastic polymer materialsuch that the thermoplastic polymer material extends into or infiltratesthe structure of a strand (e.g., extends around or bonds with filamentsin the strand) to secure the elements together when cooled; (c) themelting or softening of an element incorporating a thermoplastic polymermaterial such that the thermoplastic polymer material extends into orinfiltrates the structure of a textile element (e.g., extends around orbonds with filaments or fibers in the textile element) to secure theelements together when cooled; and (d) the melting or softening of anelement incorporating a thermoplastic polymer material such that thethermoplastic polymer material extends into or infiltrates crevices orcavities formed in another element (e.g., polymer foam or sheet, plate,structural device) to secure the elements together when cooled. Thermalbonding may occur when only one element includes a thermoplastic polymermaterial or when both elements include thermoplastic polymer materials.In general, therefore, thermal bonding involves directly bondingelements to each other with heat. In some situations, however, stitchingor adhesives may be utilized to supplement the thermal bond or thejoining of elements through thermal bonding.

One of the factors affecting the degree of fusing is temperature. Asnoted above, a thermoplastic polymer material transitions from a solidstate to (a) a softened state when heated to a glass transitiontemperature of the thermoplastic polymer material and (b) a generallyliquid state when heated to a melting temperature of the thermoplasticpolymer material. Thermal bonding may occur when the thermoplasticpolymer material is heated to the glass transition temperature. Greaterdegrees of thermal bonding, as discussed below, may occur at elevatedtemperatures approaching or exceeding the melting temperature.

Given that yarn 100, thread 200, woven textile 300, and knitted textile400 incorporate thermoplastic polymer materials, these elements may besubjected to thermal bonding processes. As an example, FIG. 12 depicts aconfiguration of yarn 100 with thermal bonds that fuse various filaments101. When exposed to sufficient heat, and possibly pressure, thethermoplastic polymer material of the various filaments 101 in yarn 100transitions from a solid state to either a softened state or a liquidstate. Moreover, filaments 101 may fuse with each other through thermalbonding to effectively combine two or more filaments 101. Although someof filaments 101 remain separate from or unfused to other filaments 101,other filaments 101 are thermal bonded to each other in groups of two,three, four, or more. That is, some thermal bonds fuse only twofilaments 101 to each other, whereas other thermal bonds fuse three ormore filaments 101 to each other. FIG. 13 depicts another configurationwherein approximately half of filaments 101 remain separate from orunfused to other filaments 101, whereas the other half of filaments 101are all thermal bonded to each other to form a single mass ofthermoplastic polymer material within yarn 100.

Based upon comparisons between FIGS. 2, 12 and 13, filaments 101 mayexhibit a range of thermal bonding extending from (a) a state where thevarious filaments 101 remain separate and identifiable within yarn 100to (b) a state where the various filaments 101 combine to form a largermass of thermoplastic polymer material within yarn 100. That is, (a)filaments 101 remain entirely separate from each other, (b) relativelysmall numbers of filaments 101 may be thermal bonded to each other, butremain in a generally filamentous configuration, or (c) numerousfilaments 101 may be thermal bonded to each other to form a generallynon-filamentous configuration. Although not depicted, all of filaments101 in yarn 100 may be thermal bonded to each other to effectivelycombine the thermoplastic polymer material from each of filaments 101into a single strand (e.g., similar to a monofilament). Accordingly, thedegree of thermal bonding in yarn 100 may vary considerably.

Another example of thermal bonding is depicted in FIG. 14, whereinthread 200 exhibits thermal bonding. More particularly, the variousfilaments 202 within yarns 201 of thread 200 are fused to a degree thatis comparable with FIG. 12. Notably, some of filaments 202 from one yarn201 are fused or thermal bonded with some of filaments 202 from theother yarn 201. That is, yarns 201 within thread 200 are thermal bondedto each other, thereby effectively joining the two yarns 201. As withthe thermal bonding of yarn 100 discussed above, thread 200 may exhibita range of thermal bonding extending from (a) a state where the variousfilaments 202 remain separate and identifiable to (b) a state where thevarious filaments 202 combine to form a larger mass of thermoplasticpolymer material. Referring to FIG. 15, for example, each of filaments202 of yarns 201 in thread 200 may be thermal bonded to each other toeffectively combine the thermoplastic polymer material from each yarn201 into joined strands (i.e., joined monofilaments). Accordingly, thedegree of thermal bonding in thread 200 may vary considerably.

A further example of thermal bonding is depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17,wherein woven textile 300 includes a fused region 303. In comparisonwith other regions of woven textile 300, in which strands 301 and 302are unbonded or unfused to each other, strands 301 and 302 are fused orotherwise thermal bonded to each other in fused region 303. That is, athermoplastic polymer material within one or both of strands 301 and 302effectively forms a thermal bond to join strands 301 and 302 to eachother in fused region 303. Given that strands 301 and 302 may have thegeneral configuration of a filament, yarn, thread, cable, cord, or rope,as well as the configuration of yarn 100 or thread 200, the manner inwhich strands 301 and 302 are fused to each other may vary considerably.When, for example, strands 301 and 302 exhibit the configuration of yarn100, areas where strands 301 and 302 cross or contact each other may bethermal bonded in a manner that is similar to FIGS. 14 and 15. Moreover,the filaments within strands 301 and 302 may exhibit a range of thermalbonding extending from (a) a state where the various filaments remainseparate and identifiable to (b) a state where the various filamentscombine to form a larger mass of thermoplastic polymer material. Similarconcepts apply when strands 301 and 302 exhibit the configuration ofthread 200 or another type of strand.

Woven textile 300 may also exhibit thermal bonding in fused region 303when each of strands 301 and 302 have different configurations or areformed from different materials. When, for example, warp strand 301 is afilament formed from a thermoplastic polymer material and weft strand302 is a thread formed from a thermoset polymer material, thethermoplastic polymer material in warp strand 301 may infiltrate thestructure of the thread forming weft strand 302 by extending aroundfilaments in the thread to secure strands 301 and 302 together whencooled. As another example, when warp strand 301 is a cord formed from athermoplastic polymer material and weft strand 302 is a filament formedfrom a thermoset polymer material, the thermoplastic polymer material inwarp strand 301 may infiltrates crevices or cavities in the filamentforming weft strand 302 to secure strands 301 and 302 together whencooled.

The degree to which strands 301 and 302 melt or transition from afilamentous to a non-filamentous state when forming the thermal bondsmay also vary. Referring again to FIGS. 16 and 17, strands 301 and 302remain identifiable within the structure of fused region 303. Individualfilaments may also remain identifiable similar to FIGS. 12 and 14. InFIGS. 18 and 19, however, the thermoplastic polymer material fromstrands 301 and 302 has melted into a non-filamentous state thateffectively forms a solid polymer sheet in a fused region 304, withneither strands 301 and 302 nor individual filaments in strands 301 and302 being identifiable. As such, thermal bonding in woven textile 300may range from (a) a state where the various elements remain separateand identifiable, as in fused region 303, to (b) a state where thevarious elements combine to form a larger mass of thermoplastic polymermaterial, as in fused region 304.

A variety of factors relating to the configuration of woven textile 300and the processes by which fused regions 303 and 304 are formeddetermine the degree to which strands 301 and 302 are thermal bonded. Asexamples, factors that determine the degree of fusing include (a) theparticular thermoplastic polymer material forming strands 301 and 302,(b) the temperature (e.g., glass transition and melting temperatures)that fused regions 303 and 304 are exposed to, (c) the pressure thatfused regions 303 and 304 are exposed to, and (d) the time at whichfused regions 303 and 304 are exposed to the elevated temperature and/orpressure. By varying these factors, the degree of fusing or thermalbonding that results within fused regions 303 and 304 may also bevaried. Similar factors also apply to the thermal bonding within yarn100 and thread 200.

Another example of thermal bonding is depicted in FIGS. 20 and 21,wherein knitted textile 400 includes a fused region 403. In comparisonwith other regions of knitted textile 400, in which strand 401 isunbonded or unfused to itself, strand 401 is fused or otherwise thermalbonded to itself in fused region 403. That is, a thermoplastic polymermaterial within one portion of strand 401 effectively forms a thermalbond with another portion of strand 401 in fused region 403. Given thatstrand 401 may have the general configuration of a filament, yarn,thread, cable, cord, or rope, as well as the configuration of yarn 100or thread 200, the manner in which portions of strand 401 are fused toeach other may vary considerably. When, for example, strand 401 exhibitsthe configuration of yarn 100, the portions of strand 401 that cross orcontact each other may be thermal bonded in a manner that is similar toFIGS. 14 and 15. Moreover, the filaments within strand 401 may exhibit arange of thermal bonding extending from (a) a state where the variousfilaments remain separate and identifiable to (b) a state where thevarious filaments combine to form a larger mass of thermoplastic polymermaterial. Similar concepts apply when strand 401 exhibits theconfiguration of thread 200 or another type of strand.

Knitted textile 400 may also exhibit thermal bonding in fused region 403when strand 401 and one or more additional strands (e.g., inlaid strand402) are incorporated into knitted textile 400. In this configuration,thermal bonding may be similar to the various examples provided abovefor different types of strands 301 and 302 in fused region 303 of woventextile 300. In effect, thermal bonding may join strands within fusedregion 403 that have different configurations or are formed fromdifferent materials.

The degree to which strand 401 melts or transitions from a filamentousto a non-filamentous state when forming the thermal bonds may also vary.Referring again to FIGS. 20 and 21, sections of strand 401 remainidentifiable within the structure of fused region 403. Individualfilaments may also remain identifiable similar to FIG. 14. In FIGS. 22and 23, however, the thermoplastic polymer material from strand 401 hasmelted into a non-filamentous state that effectively forms a solidpolymer sheet in a fused region 404, with neither strand 401 norindividual filaments in strand 401 being identifiable. As such, thermalbonding in knitted textile 400 may range from (a) a state where thevarious elements remain separate and identifiable, as in fused region403, to (b) a state where the various elements combine to form a largermass of thermoplastic polymer material, as in fused region 404.

As with woven textile 300, factors that determine the degree of fusingin knitted textile 400 include (a) the particular thermoplastic polymermaterial forming strand 401, (b) the temperature (e.g., glass transitionand melting temperatures) that fused regions 403 and 404 are exposed to,(c) the pressure that fused regions 403 and 404 are exposed to, and (d)the time at which fused regions 403 and 404 are exposed to the elevatedtemperature and/or pressure. By varying these factors, the degree offusing or thermal bonding that results within fused regions 403 and 404may also be varied.

Based upon the above discussion, yarn 100, thread 200, other strands,textiles 300 and 400, and other textiles may exhibit fusing or may formthermal bonds due to the presence of a thermoplastic polymer material.As presented in the various examples, filaments 101 within yarn 100 mayform thermal bonds with each other to various degrees, and filaments 202or yarns 201 within thread 200 may form thermal bonds with each other tovarious degrees. Moreover, woven textile 300 may have a fused region 303or 304 and a remaining unfused region, with warp strand 301 and weftstrand 302 being thermal bonded to each other in fused regions 303 and304 and being unbonded to each other in the unfused region. Similarly,knitted textile 400 may include a fused region 403 or 404 and aremaining unfused region, with a section of strand 401 being thermalbonded to a different section of strand 401 in fused regions 403 and404. Although fused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404 are shown as being arelatively small part of textiles 300 and 400, a larger part orsubstantially all of textiles 300 and 400 may exhibit thermal bonding.

E. PROPERTIES OF FUSED REGIONS

The properties of fused regions 303 and 304 may be different than theproperties of unfused regions in woven textile 300. In configurationswhere woven textile 300 has multiple fused regions, the properties ofone of the fused regions may be different than the properties of anotherof the fused regions. For example, FIG. 24 depicts a configuration ofwoven textile 300 having both fused regions 303 and 304. In comparison,the properties of fused region 303 may be different than the propertiesof fused region 304 to impart different properties to different areas ofwoven textile 300.

In manufacturing woven textile 300 and forming fused regions 303 and304, specific properties may be applied to woven textile 300 in theareas of fused regions 303 and 304. More particularly, the shapes offused regions 303 and 304, positions of fused regions 303 and 304, sizesof fused regions 303 and 304, degree to which strands 301 and 302 arefused within fused regions 303 and 304, and other aspects of woventextile 300 may be varied to impart specific properties to specificareas of woven textile 300. As an example, fused regions 303 and 304have different shapes (e.g., square and circular) in FIG. 24.Accordingly, woven textile 300 may be engineered, designed, or otherwisestructured to have particular properties in different areas.

Examples of properties that may be varied through the addition or theconfiguration of fused regions 303 and 304 include permeability,durability, and stretch-resistance. By forming one of fused regions 303and 304 in a particular area of woven textile 400, the permeability ofthat area generally decreases, whereas both durability andstretch-resistance generally increases. As discussed in greater detailbelow, the degree to which strands 301 and 302 are fused to each otherhas a significant effect upon the change in permeability, durability,and stretch-resistance. Other factors that may affect permeability,durability, and stretch-resistance include the shapes, positions, andsizes of fused regions 303 and 304, as well as the specificthermoplastic polymer material forming strands 301 and 302.

Permeability generally relates to ability of air, water, and otherfluids (whether gaseous or liquid) to pass through or otherwise permeatewoven textile 300. Depending upon the degree to which strands 301 and302 are fused to each other, the permeability may vary significantly. Ingeneral, the permeability is highest in areas of woven textile 300 wherestrands 301 and 302 are fused the least, and the permeability is lowestin areas of woven textile 300 where strands 301 and 302 are fused themost. As such, the permeability may vary along a spectrum depending uponthe degree to which strands 301 and 302 are fused to each other. Areasof woven textile 300 that are separate from fused regions 303 and 304(i.e., unfused areas of woven textile 300) generally exhibit arelatively high permeability. Due to the openings between strands 301and 302, fused region 303 may also exhibit a relatively highpermeability, but the permeability is generally less than in areasseparate from fused regions 303 and 304. Due to the non-filamentousstate that effectively forms a solid polymer sheet, fused region 304exhibits a relatively low permeability.

Durability generally relates to the ability of woven textile 300 toremain intact, cohesive, or otherwise undamaged, and may includeresistances to wear, abrasion, and degradation from chemicals and light.Depending upon the degree to which strands 301 and 302 are fused to eachother, the durability may vary significantly. Although the durability ofany portion of woven textile 300 may be considered high, the durabilityis lowest in areas of woven textile 300 where strands 301 and 302 arefused the least, and the durability is highest in areas of woven textile300 where strands 301 and 302 are fused the most. As such, thedurability may vary along a spectrum depending upon the degree to whichstrands 301 and 302 are fused to each other. Moreover, fused region 303may have lesser durability than fused region 304. Other factors that mayaffect the general durability of fused regions 303 and 304 and otherareas of woven textile 300 include the initial thickness and density ofwoven textile 300 and the type of thermoplastic polymer material formingstrands 301 and 302.

Stretch-resistance generally relates to the ability of woven textile 300to resist stretching when subjected to a textile force. As withpermeability and durability, the stretch-resistance of woven textile 300may vary significantly depending upon the degree to which strands 301and 302 are fused to each other. Although the stretch-resistance of anyportion of woven textile 300 may be considered high, thestretch-resistance is lowest in areas of woven textile 300 where strands301 and 302 are fused the least, and the stretch-resistance is highestin areas of woven textile 300 where strands 301 and 302 are fused themost. The thermoplastic polymer material or other materials utilized forwoven textile 300 may be considered elastomeric or may stretch at leastone-hundred percent prior to tensile failure. Although thestretch-resistance of woven textile 300 may be greater in areas wherestrands 301 and 302 are fused the most, fused region 304 may still beelastomeric or may stretch at least one-hundred percent prior to tensilefailure. Other factors that may affect the general stretch properties offused regions 303 and 304 and other areas of woven textile 300 includethe initial thickness and density of woven textile 300 and the type ofthermoplastic polymer material forming strands 301 and 302.

As discussed in greater detail below, woven textile 300 may beincorporated into a variety of products, including various articles ofapparel (e.g., shirts, footwear). Taking a shirt as an example, woventextile 300 may form a majority of the shirt, including a torso regionand two arm regions. Given that moisture may accumulate within the shirtfrom perspiration, a majority of the shirt may be formed from portionsof woven textile 300 that do not include fused regions 303 and 304 inorder to provide a relatively high permeability. Given that elbow areasof the shirt may be subjected to relatively high abrasion as the shirtis worn, some of fused regions 303 and 304 may be located in the elbowareas to impart greater durability. Additionally, given that the neckopening may be stretched as the shirt is put on an individual and takenoff the individual, one of fused regions 303 and 304 may be locatedaround the neck opening to impart greater stretch-resistance.Accordingly, one material (i.e., woven textile 300) may be usedthroughout the shirt, but by fusing different areas to differentdegrees, the properties may be advantageously-varied in different areasof the shirt.

The above discussion focused primarily on the properties ofpermeability, durability, and stretch-resistance. A variety of otherproperties may also be varied through the addition or the configurationof fused regions 303 and 304. For example, the overall density of woventextile 300 may be increased as the degree of fusing increases. Thetransparency of woven textile 300 may also be increased as the degree offusing increases. Depending upon various factors, the saturation of acolor of woven textile 300 may also increase as the degree of fusingincreases. Fused regions 303 and 304 may also contrast visually withother areas. The overall thickness of woven textile 300 may decrease asthe degree of fusing increases. The degree to which woven textile 300recovers after being stretched, the overall flexibility of woven textile300, and resistance to various modes of failure may also vary dependingupon the degree of fusing. Accordingly, a variety of properties may bevaried by forming fused regions similar to fused regions 303 and 304.

Although the above discussion focused upon woven textile 300, similarconcepts apply to knitted textile 400. As such, the properties of fusedregions 403 and 404 may be different than the properties of unfusedregions in knitted textile 400. In configurations where knitted textile400 has multiple fused regions 403 and 404, the properties of fusedregion 403 may be different than the properties of one of fused region404. Moreover, the properties of one of fused regions 403 may bedifferent than the properties of another of fused regions 403. Inaddition to varying the degree of fusing, the shapes of multiple fusedregions 403 and 404 and other aspects of knitted textile 400 may bevaried to impart specific properties to specific areas. Accordingly,knitted textile 400 may be engineered, designed, or otherwise structuredto have particular properties in different areas, including theproperties of permeability, durability, and stretch-resistance.

F. COMPOSITE ELEMENTS

A composite element 500 is depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26 as including afirst component 501 and a second component 502 that lay adjacent to eachother and are thermal bonded to each other. Although component 501 and502 are depicted as having similar dimensions, first component 501 mayhave a lesser or greater length, a lesser or greater width, or a lesseror greater thickness than second component 502. That is, the relativedimensions of components 501 and 502 may vary considerably dependingupon the product in which composite element 500 is intended to beincorporated.

In order to facilitate thermal bonding, at least one of components 501and 502 includes a thermoplastic polymer material. Either or both ofcomponents 501 and 502 may be woven textile 300, knitted textile 400,other textiles that incorporate yarn 100 or thread 200, or othertextiles that incorporate a thermoplastic polymer material. Moreover,one of components 501 and 502 may be another textile (e.g., knitted,woven, non-woven), an element of polymer foam, a polymer sheet, or aplate. As examples, (a) each of components 501 and 502 may be woventextile 300, (b) each of components 501 and 502 may be knitted textile400, (c) first component 501 may be woven textile 300 and secondcomponent 502 may be knitted textile 400, (d) first component 501 may bewoven textile 300 and second component 502 may be another textile formedfrom cotton, silk, thermoset polymer filaments, or other materials thatdo not include a thermoplastic polymer material, (e) first component 501may be knitted textile 400 and second component 502 may be an element ofpolymer foam formed from either thermoplastic or thermoset polymermaterial, (f) first component 501 may be woven textile 300 and secondcomponent 502 may be a polymer sheet formed from either thermoplastic orthermoset polymer material, or (g) first component 501 may be knittedtextile 400 and second component 502 may be a plate formed from metal,wood, or a rigid polymer formed from either thermoplastic or thermosetpolymer material.

As a further example, first component 501 may be woven textile 300. Ifsecond component 502 is another textile that absorbs or wicks water,then the combination of woven textile 300 and second component 502 maybe suitable for articles of apparel utilized during athletic activitieswhere an individual wearing the apparel is likely to perspire. If secondcomponent 502 is a compressible material, such as an element of polymerfoam, then the combination of woven textile 300 and second component 502may be suitable for articles of apparel where cushioning (i.e.,attenuation of impact forces) is advantageous, such as padding forathletic activities that may involve contact or impact with otherathletes, equipment, or the ground. If second component 502 is a polymersheet or plate, then the combination of woven textile 300 and secondcomponent 502 may be suitable for articles of apparel that impartprotection from acute impacts. Similar combinations may be formed wherefirst component 501 is knitted textile 400. Accordingly, a variety ofmaterials or other components maybe joined through thermal bonding toeither of textiles 300 and 400 form composite elements with additionalproperties.

A general manufacturing process for forming composite element 500 willnow be discussed with reference to FIGS. 27A-27C. Initially, components501 and 502 are located between a heat press having a pair of platens11, as depicted in FIG. 27A. Platens 11 then translate or otherwise movetoward each other in order to compress or induce contact betweencomponents 501 and 502, as depicted in FIG. 27B. While compressed, heatis applied to form the thermal bond that joins components 501 and 502.That is, the temperatures of components 501 and 502 are elevated to atleast a glass transition temperature of a thermoplastic polymer materialin one or both of components 501 and 502, thereby causing softening ormelting of the thermoplastic polymer material at the interface betweencomponents 501 and 502. Depending upon the materials of both components501 and 502, as well as the overall configuration of components 501 and502, only one of platens 11 or both of platens 11 may be heated toelevate the temperatures of components 501 and 502 through conduction.Upon separating platens 11, as depicted in FIG. 27C, the thermal bondedcomposite element 500 may be removed and permitted to cool.

Although the general process discussed above may be utilized to formcomposite element 500, other methods may also be utilized. Rather thancomponents 501 and 502 through conduction, other methods that includeradio frequency heating, ultrasonic heating, radiant heating, laserheating, or chemical heating may be utilized. In some processes, radiantheating may utilize to raise the temperature of at least one ofcomponents 501 and 502 prior to being compressed between platens 11. Anadvantage of utilizing radiant heating to elevate the temperature ofonly the surfaces forming the thermal bond is that the thermoplasticpolymer material within other portions of components 501 and 502 may notheated significantly. In some processes, stitching or adhesives may alsobe utilized between components 501 and 502 to supplement the thermalbond.

Using the process discussed above, the thermoplastic polymer material ineither of components 501 and 502 may be utilized to secure components501 and 502 to each other. A thermoplastic polymer material melts whenheated and returns to a solid state when cooled sufficiently. Based uponthis property of thermoplastic polymer materials, thermal bondingprocesses may be utilized to form a thermal bond that joins components501 and 502 to each other. The configuration of the thermal bond atleast partially depends upon the materials and structure of components501 and 502. As a first example, each of components 501 and 502 may bewoven textile 300. Upon heating, the thermoplastic polymer material fromeach element of woven textile 300 may intermingle with each other tosecure components 501 and 502 to each other when cooled. Similarprocesses may be utilized when each of components 501 and 502 areknitted textile 400 or when first component 501 is woven textile 300 andsecond component 502 is knitted textile 400. As a second example, firstcomponent 501 may be woven textile 300 and second component 502 may beanother textile formed from cotton, silk, or thermoset polymerfilaments. Upon heating, the thermoplastic polymer material of woventextile 300 may extend around or bond with filaments in the othertextile to secure components 501 and 502 to each other when cooled. As athird example, first component 501 may be knitted textile 400 and secondcomponent 502 may be an element of polymer foam (or a polymer sheet orplate) formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Upon heating, thethermoplastic polymer materials of knitted textile 400 and the polymerfoam may intermingle with each other to secure components 501 and 502 toeach other when cooled. If, however, the polymer foam has a glasstransition temperature that is higher than the thermoplastic polymermaterial of knitted textile 400, then the thermoplastic polymer materialof knitted textile 400 may extend into the structure, crevices, orcavities of the polymer foam to secure components 501 and 502 to eachother when cooled. As a fourth example, first component 501 may beknitted textile 400 and second component 502 may be an element ofpolymer foam (or a polymer sheet or plate) formed from a thermosetpolymer material. Upon heating, the thermoplastic polymer material ofknitted textile 400 may extend into the structure, crevices, or cavitiesof the polymer foam to secure components 501 and 502 to each other whencooled. Accordingly, a thermal bond may be utilized to join components501 and 502 even when components 501 and 502 have a variety ofstructures or are formed from a diverse range of materials.

In order to impart varying properties to composite element 500, eitherof components 501 and 502 may include various fused regions, similar tofused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404. Referring to FIG. 28, for example,composite element 500 is depicted as incorporating woven textile 300 asfirst component 501, and a fused region 304 is formed in woven textile300. In some processes fused region 304 (or fused region 303) may beformed prior to joining woven textile 300 with second component 502. Inother processes, however, fused region 304 (or fused region 303) may beformed during the thermal bonding process or following the thermalbonding process. Accordingly, fused regions 303 and 304 may be formed atany stage of the manufacturing process for composite elements. Althoughcomposite element 500 in this example incorporates woven textile 300,knitted textile 400 may also be utilized in a similar manner. That is, acomposite element incorporating knitted textile 400 may also includevarious fused regions 403 and 404 to impart varying properties.

G. THERMAL BONDED SEAM CONFIGURATIONS

When incorporated into products, such as apparel, textile elements areoften joined at various seams. Although stitching and adhesive bondingmay be utilized to form a seam between the textile elements, the seammay also be formed through a thermal bonding process when at least oneof the textile elements includes a thermoplastic polymer material. Thatis, a thermal bond may be utilized to form the seam in products thatincorporate woven textile 300, knitted textile 400, or other textilesthat incorporate a thermoplastic polymer material.

A seam element 600 is depicted in FIGS. 29 and 30 as including a firstcomponent 601 and a second component 602 with edge areas that arethermal bonded at a seam 603. Although component 601 and 602 aredepicted as having similar dimensions, first component 601 may have alesser or greater length, a lesser or greater width, or a lesser orgreater thickness than second component 602. That is, the relativedimensions of components 601 and 602 may vary considerably dependingupon the product in which seam 603 is intended to be incorporated.

In order to facilitate thermal bonding at seam 603, at least one ofcomponents 601 and 602 includes a thermoplastic polymer material. Eitheror both of components 601 and 602 may be woven textile 300, knittedtextile 400, other textiles that incorporate yarn 100 or thread 200, orother textiles that incorporate a thermoplastic polymer material.Moreover, one of components 601 and 602 may be another textile (e.g.,knitted, woven, non-woven), an element of polymer foam, or a polymersheet, for example. As examples, (a) each of components 601 and 602 maybe woven textile 300, (b) each of components 601 and 602 may be knittedtextile 400, (c) first component 601 may be woven textile 300 and secondcomponent 602 may be knitted textile 400, (d) first component 601 may bewoven textile 300 and second component 602 may be another textile formedfrom cotton, silk, thermoset polymer filaments, or other materials thatdo not include a thermoplastic polymer material, (e) first component 601may be knitted textile 400 and second component 602 may be an element ofpolymer foam formed from either thermoplastic or thermoset polymermaterial, or (f) first component 601 may be woven textile 300 and secondcomponent 602 may be a polymer sheet formed from either thermoplastic orthermoset polymer material.

A general manufacturing process for forming seam 603 will now bediscussed with reference to FIGS. 31A-31D. Initially, components 601 and602 are located between a pair of seam-forming dies 12, as depicted inFIG. 31A. Seam-forming dies 12 then translate or otherwise move towardeach other in order to compress or induce contact between edge areascomponents 601 and 602, as depicted in FIG. 31B. In order to form thethermal bond and join the edge areas of components 601 and 602,seam-forming dies 12 apply heat to the edge areas. That is, seam-formingdies 12 elevate the temperature of the edge areas of components 601 and602 to cause softening or melting of the thermoplastic polymer materialat the interface between the edge areas. Although the temperature of theedge areas is generally raised to at least the glass-transitiontemperature of the thermoplastic polymer material forming one or both ofcomponents 601 and 602, the temperature may also exceed the meltingtemperature. Upon separating seam-forming dies 12, as depicted in FIG.31C, seam 603 is formed between the edge areas of components 601 and602. After being permitted to cool, components 601 and 602 may beunfolded, as depicted in FIG. 31D. Seam 603 may also be trimmed to limitthe degree to which the end areas protrude outward at seam 603. Ratherthan heating the edge areas of components 601 and 602 throughconduction, other methods that include radio frequency heating,ultrasonic heating, radiant heating, laser heating, or chemical heatingmay be utilized.

As with the formation of fused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404, theformation of seam 603 involves softening or melting the thermoplasticpolymer material in one or both of components 601 and 602. Dependingupon the temperature and pressure applied to the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602, as well as the time that the edge areas areheated and compressed, for example, the degree to which thethermoplastic polymer material in components 601 and 602 softens ormelts may vary significantly. As such, the thermal bond at seam 603 mayrange from (a) a state where filaments or strands in components 601 and602 remain separate and identifiable, as in fused regions 303 and 403,to (b) a state where filaments or strands in components 601 and 602 forma larger mass of thermoplastic polymer material, as in fused regions 304and 404.

Using the process discussed above, the thermoplastic polymer material ineither of components 601 and 602 may be utilized to secure components601 and 602 to each other at seam 603. The configuration of the thermalbond at seam 603 at least partially depends upon the materials andstructure of components 601 and 602. As a first example, each ofcomponents 601 and 602 may be woven textile 300. Upon heating, thethermoplastic polymer material from each element of woven textile 300may intermingle with each other to secure components 601 and 602 to eachother when cooled. Similar processes may be utilized when each ofcomponents 601 and 602 are knitted textile 400 or when first component601 is woven textile 300 and second component 602 is knitted textile400. As a second example, first component 601 may be woven textile 300and second component 602 may be another textile formed from cotton,silk, or thermoset polymer filaments. Upon heating, the thermoplasticpolymer material of woven textile 300 may extend around or bond withfilaments in the other textile to secure components 601 and 602 to eachother when cooled. As a third example, first component 601 may beknitted textile 400 and second component 602 may be an element ofpolymer foam (or a polymer sheet) formed from a thermoplastic polymermaterial. Upon heating, the thermoplastic polymer materials of knittedtextile 400 and the polymer foam may intermingle with each other tosecure components 601 and 602 to each other when cooled. If, however,the polymer foam has a glass transition temperature that is higher thanthe thermoplastic polymer material of knitted textile 400, then thethermoplastic polymer material of knitted textile 400 may extend intothe structure, crevices, or cavities of the polymer foam to securecomponents 601 and 602 to each other when cooled. As a fourth example,first component 601 may be knitted textile 400 and second component 602may be an element of polymer foam (or a polymer sheet) formed from athermoset polymer material. Upon heating, the thermoplastic polymermaterial of knitted textile 400 may extend into the structure, crevices,or cavities of the polymer foam to secure components 601 and 602 to eachother when cooled. Accordingly, a thermal bond forming seam 603 may beutilized to join components 601 and 602 even when components 601 and 602have a variety of structures or are formed from a diverse range ofmaterials.

In order to impart varying properties to seam element 600, either ofcomponents 601 and 602 may include various fused regions. Moreover, thefused regions may extend across seam 603 As an example of this, FIG. 32depicts seam element 600 as incorporating woven textile 300 for firstcomponent 601 and knitted textile 400 as second component 602. Woventextile 300 includes a fused region 303 in an area spaced from seam 603,and knitted textile 400 includes a fused region 403 in an area spacedfrom seam 603. Seam element 600 also includes a larger fused region thatextends across seam 603 and includes elements of both fused regions 304and 404. In some processes, one or more of fused regions 303, 304, 403,and 404 may be formed prior to joining components 601 and 602 at seam603. In other processes, however, one or more of fused regions 303, 304,403, and 404 may be formed during the thermal bonding process orfollowing the thermal bonding process that forms seam 603. Accordingly,fused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404 may be formed at any stage of theprocess for forming seam 603.

During the thermal bonding process discussed above, the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602 are heated and compressed. In addition to formingseam 603, the heating and compression may also cause the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602 to compress or reduce in thickness. Moreparticularly, processes that form a thermal bond, as at seam 603, mayeffectively cause thinning in the area of the thermal bond. This effectmay be seen in FIG. 30, as well as various other figures discussedbelow. Although not always depicted, similar effects may occur at any offused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404 or at any other location wherethermal bonding or fusing occurs.

Whereas components 601 and 602 curve at seam 603 and protrude outward,other seam configurations may have a more planar or flat configuration.Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, for example, seam component 600 includescomponents 601 and 602, which are joined to form a seam 604. In thisconfiguration, an edge area of first component 601 overlaps and isjoined with an edge of second component 602 at seam 604. Although athermal bond is utilized to join components 601 and 602 at seam 604,stitching or adhesive bonding may also be utilized to reinforce seam604.

A general manufacturing process for forming seam 604 will now bediscussed with reference to FIGS. 35A-35C. Initially, components 601 and602 are positioned in an overlapping configuration between seam-formingdies 12, as depicted in FIG. 35A. Seam-forming dies 12 then translate orotherwise move toward each other in order to compress or induce contactbetween edge areas of components 601 and 602, as depicted in FIG. 35B.In order to form the thermal bond and join the edge areas of components601 and 602, seam-forming dies 12 apply heat to the edge areas. That is,seam-forming dies 12 elevate the temperature of the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602 to cause softening or melting of thethermoplastic polymer material at the interface between the edge areas,thereby inducing thermal bonding and forming seam 604. Although thetemperature of the edge areas is generally raised to at least theglass-transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer materialforming one or both of components 601 and 602, the temperature may alsoexceed the melting temperature. Upon separating seam-forming dies 12, asdepicted in FIG. 35C, components 601 and 602 are permitted to cool andthe manufacturing process for forming seam 604 is complete.

H. STITCHED AND THERMAL BONDED SEAM CONFIGURATIONS

Thermal bonding is utilized to join components 601 and 602 at thevarious seams 603 and 604 discussed above. Although thermal bondingalone is sufficient, stitching or adhesive bonding may also be utilizedto reinforce seams 603 and 604. Moreover, stitching may be utilized totemporarily join or otherwise pre-join components 601 and 602 prior tothermal bonding. When the stitching (e.g., yarn, thread, monofilament)incorporates a thermoplastic polymer material, the stitching may alsoform a thermal bond with each of components 601 and 602. Depending uponthe temperature at which thermal bonding occurs, the stitching may alsomelt into the structure of components 601 and 602.

Referring to FIG. 36, components 601 and 602 are joined to form seam603. At least one of components 601 and 602 includes a thermoplasticpolymer material, which we will refer to as a “first thermoplasticpolymer material” for purposes of the present discussion. As such,components 601 and 602 are thermal bonded to each other with the firstthermoplastic polymer material at seam 603. Additionally, a stitchingstrand 605 extends through components 601 and 602 at seam 603, therebystitching components 601 and 602 together. Stitching strand 605 alsoincludes a thermoplastic polymer material, which we will refer to as a“second thermoplastic polymer material” for purposes of the presentdiscussion. Given that stitching strand 605 includes the secondthermoplastic polymer material, stitching strand 605 may be thermalbonded to components 601 and 602 with the second thermoplastic polymermaterial at seam 603.

Stitching strand 605 may be a yarn, thread, or monofilament, forexample. In some configurations, stitching strand 605 may have thegeneral configuration of thread 200. As such, stitching strand 605 mayinclude two or more yarns (e.g., yarns 201) that are twisted with eachother. Moreover, the yarns may include a plurality of substantiallyaligned filaments (e.g., filaments 202) that are substantially formedfrom the second thermoplastic polymer material. As such, at leastninety-five percent, ninety-nine percent, or one-hundred percent of amaterial of the filaments in stitching strand 605 may be the secondthermoplastic polymer material. Although stitching strand 605 isdepicted as forming a zigzag stitch, other stitch configurations may beused for joining components 601 and 602 with stitching strand 605.

Based upon the discussion above, seam 603 effectively includes twothermal bonds. The first thermal bond is formed by the firstthermoplastic polymer material from one or both of components 601 and602. Although the first thermal bond primarily joins components 601 and602 to each other, thereby forming seam 603, the first thermal bond mayalso join stitching strand 605 to components 601 and 602. The secondthermal bond is formed by the second thermoplastic polymer material fromstitching strand 605. Although the second thermal bond primarily joinsstitching strand 605 to components 601 and 602, the second thermal bondmay also join (a) sections of stitching strand 605 to each other or (b)components 601 and 602 to each other. An advantage of utilizing thefirst and second thermal bonds relates to strength. That is, seam 603may exhibit greater strength than seams that are only utilize one ofstitching or thermal bonding.

The first thermoplastic polymer material and the second thermoplasticpolymer material may be the same thermoplastic polymer material. Thatis, the thermoplastic polymer materials of components 601 and 602 andstitching strand 605 may be the same thermoplastic polymer material(e.g., both being thermoplastic polyurethane) with common glasstransition and melting temperatures. Similarly, the first thermoplasticpolymer material and the second thermoplastic polymer material may bethe same thermoplastic polymer material (e.g., both being thermoplasticpolyurethane), but with different glass transition and meltingtemperatures. As an example, the first and second thermoplastic polymermaterials may be thermoplastic polyurethane, with the firstthermoplastic polymer material having higher glass transition andmelting temperatures than the second thermoplastic polymer material.Additionally, the first thermoplastic polymer material and the secondthermoplastic polymer material may be different thermoplastic polymermaterials, such as thermoplastic polyurethane and thermoplasticpolyolefin.

An advantage of incorporating the same thermoplastic polymer materialinto components 601 and 602 and stitching strand 605 relates to thermalbonding compatibility. Although different thermoplastic polymermaterials may form thermal bonds with each other, thermal bonds may formmore easily and with greater strength when components 601 and 602 andstitching strand 605 are formed from the same thermoplastic polymermaterial. A further advantage may be gained when components 601 and 602and stitching strand 605 include the same thermoplastic polymermaterial, but with different glass transition and melting temperatures.More particularly, by configuring components 601 and 602 to have adifferent glass transition and melting temperature than stitching strand605, the degree to which the first thermoplastic polymer material incomponents 601 and 602 softens or melts may be less than the degree towhich the second thermoplastic polymer material in stitching strand 605softens or melts when forming (a) the first thermal bond betweencomponents 601 and 602 and (b) the second thermal bond between stitchingstrand 605 and components 601 and 602.

The degree to which individual yarns or filaments within stitchingstrand 605 soften or melt when heated to form the second thermal bondwith components 601 and 602 may vary significantly. Referring again toFIG. 36, stitching strand 605 is clearly seen as stitching components601 and 602 together. Although stitching strand 605 may be thermalbonded with components 601 and 602, stitching strand 605 remainscoherent in this configuration, possibly with individual yarns orfilaments within stitching strand 605 remaining identifiable. In thisconfiguration, the second thermoplastic polymer material of stitchingstrand 605 may form thermal bonds at areas of contact with components601 and 602, but may not melt to form thermal bonds in other areas. Asanother example, FIG. 37A depicts stitching strand 605 as having a lesscoherent structure, which indicates some degree of melting in stitchingstrand 605. That is, the second thermoplastic polymer material ofstitching strand 605 may have melted so as to extend around yarns orfilaments in components 601 and 602, and some of the secondthermoplastic polymer material may have been wicked or otherwise drawninto the filamentous structure of components 601 and 602. Referring toFIG. 37B, stitching strand 605 has an even less coherent structure,which indicates a greater degree of melting in stitching strand 605.That is, the second thermoplastic polymer material of stitching strand605 may have melted so as to extend around more distant yarns orfilaments in components 601 and 602, and a greater amount of the secondthermoplastic polymer material may have been wicked or otherwise drawninto the filamentous structure of components 601 and 602. Finally, FIG.37C depicts a configuration wherein stitching strand 605 hassignificantly melted and is almost entirely wicked or otherwise drawninto the filamentous structure of components 601 and 602. Although thesecond thermoplastic polymer material remains within seam 305, stitchingstrand 605 is entirely non-coherent and is effectively absorbed orotherwise integrated into the structure of components 601 and 602. Thedegree to which individual yarns or filaments within stitching strand605 soften or melt when heated to form the thermal bond may affect thestrength of seam 305, as well as the aesthetic properties of articles ofapparel or other products that incorporate seam 603.

Comparisons between FIGS. 36 and 37A-37C demonstrate variations in thedegree to which stitching strand 605 softens or melts when forming thethermal bond with the elements of components 601 and 602. Although notdepicted, the thermal bond formed by the first thermoplastic polymermaterial from the elements of components 601 and 602 may vary in asimilar manner. In many configurations, however, the first thermoplasticpolymer material of components 601 and 602 may melt or soften to alesser degree than the second thermoplastic polymer material ofstitching strand 605. An advantage of lesser melting or softening of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material is that a fibrous or filamentousstructure of components 601 and 602, when formed from textiles (e.g.,textile 200 or 300), remains intact or otherwise coherent. When utilizedin articles of apparel, the lesser melting or softening of the firstthermoplastic polymer material may ensure that seam 603 remain flexibleand does not form hard areas of the apparel that may cause discomfort tothe wearer. Additionally, the lesser melting or softening of the firstthermoplastic polymer material in one or both of components 601 and 602may enhance the aesthetic properties of the apparel.

In order to ensure that the first thermoplastic polymer material ofcomponents 601 and 602 melts or softens to a lesser degree than thesecond thermoplastic polymer material of stitching strand 605, differentmelting and glass transition temperatures may be selected for each ofthe first and second thermoplastic polymer materials. More particularly,the melting and glass transition temperatures of the first thermoplasticpolymer material may be higher than the respective melting and glasstransition temperatures of the second thermoplastic polymer material.That is, the melting temperature of the first thermoplastic polymermaterial is higher than the melting temperature of the secondthermoplastic polymer material, and the glass transition temperature ofthe first thermoplastic polymer material is higher than the glasstransition temperature of the second thermoplastic polymer material.Depending upon the desired degree of melting or softening of the secondthermoplastic polymer material, as in FIGS. 36 and 37A-37C, the meltingtemperature of the second thermoplastic polymer material may be higheror lower than the glass transition temperature of the firstthermoplastic polymer material. More particularly, for example,stitching strand 605 may melt more (e.g., FIGS. 37B and 37C) inconfigurations where the melting temperature of the second thermoplasticpolymer material is lower than the glass transition temperature of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material, and stitching strand 605 may meltless (e.g., FIGS. 36 and 37A) in configurations where the meltingtemperature of the second thermoplastic polymer material is higher thanthe glass transition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymermaterial.

Although the temperatures may vary significantly, examples values forthe melting and glass transition temperatures of the first and secondthermoplastic polymer materials will now be discussed. As an example,the first thermoplastic polymer material of components 601 and 602 maybe thermoplastic polyurethane with a glass transition temperature of 180degrees Celsius and a melting temperature of 210 degrees Celsius, andthe second thermoplastic polymer material of stitching strand 605 may bethermoplastic polyurethane with a glass transition temperature of 140degrees Celsius and a melting temperature of 160 degrees Celsius. Withthese temperatures, the melting temperature of the second thermoplasticpolymer material is lower than the glass transition temperature of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material. As another example, the firstthermoplastic polymer material of components 601 and 602 may bethermoplastic polyurethane with a glass transition temperature of 170degrees Celsius and a melting temperature of 210 degrees Celsius, andthe second thermoplastic polymer material of stitching strand 605 may bethermoplastic polyurethane with a glass transition temperature of 150degrees Celsius and a melting temperature of 190 degrees Celsius. Withthese temperatures, the melting temperature of the second thermoplasticpolymer material is higher than the glass transition temperature of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material. A general manufacturing processfor forming seam 603 with stitching strand 605 will now be discussedwith reference to FIGS. 38A-38E. Initially, components 601 and 602 arelocated within a stitching machine 13 that dispenses stitching strand605 and extends stitching strand 605 through components 601 and 602,thereby stitching edge areas of components 601 and 602 together. Inaddition to stitching strand 605, stitching machine 13 may also dispensea bobbin strand (not depicted). Stitching machine 13 may be anyconventional sewing machine, surger, or device that performs a stitchingoperation. Hand stitching may also be utilized. Although the relativelysimple configuration of components 601 and 602 is depicted, manyarticles of apparel and other products may be formed from multiplecomponents or other material elements. As such, joining components 601and 602 with stitching strand 605 serves to temporarily join orotherwise pre-join components 601 and 602 prior to thermal bonding. Ineffect, stitching strand 605 temporarily joins the multiple componentsor other elements of an article of apparel or other product prior tothermal bonding.

Once properly joined with stitching strand 605, the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602 that include stitching strand 605 are locatedbetween the pair of seam-forming dies 12, as depicted in FIG. 38B.Seam-forming dies 12 then translate or otherwise move toward each otherin order to compress or induce contact between the edge areas ofcomponents 601 and 602, as depicted in FIG. 38C. Seam-forming dies 12also apply heat to components 601 and 602 and stitching strand 605 to(a) form a first thermal bond with the first thermoplastic polymermaterial from components 601 and 602, thereby joining components 601 and602 to each other at seam 603 and (b) form a second thermal bond withthe second thermoplastic polymer material from stitching strand 605,thereby joining stitching strand 605 to components 601 and 602.Accordingly, heat from seam-forming dies 12 effectively forms twothermal bonds at seam 603.

Upon separating seam-forming dies 12, as depicted in FIG. 38D, seam 603is formed permitted to cool. Components 601 and 602 may then beunfolded, as depicted in FIG. 38E. Seam 603 may also be trimmed to limitthe degree to which the end areas protrude outward at seam 603. Ratherthan heating components 601 and 602 and stitching strand 605 throughconduction, other methods that include radio frequency heating,ultrasonic heating, radiant heating, laser heating, or chemical heatingmay be utilized.

The degree of thermal bonding in seam 603 may vary significantly. Insome configurations, as discussed above, advantages may be gained with alesser degree of melting or softening of the first thermoplastic polymermaterial in components 601 and 602. In order to ensure that (a) thefibrous or filamentous structure of components 601 and 602 remainsintact or otherwise coherent and (b) stitching strand 605 melts orsoftens to a greater degree, the melting and glass transitiontemperatures of the first thermoplastic polymer material are higher thanthe respective melting and glass transition temperatures of the secondthermoplastic polymer material. That is, the melting temperature of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material is higher than the meltingtemperature of the second thermoplastic polymer material, and the glasstransition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material ishigher than the glass transition temperature of the second thermoplasticpolymer material. Moreover, the melting temperature of the secondthermoplastic polymer material may be higher or lower than the glasstransition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material.

FIG. 39A depicts a graph of the manner in which the temperature of seam603 changes between the steps discussed above for FIGS. 38B-38D.Moreover, this graph shows the situation where the melting temperatureof the second thermoplastic polymer material is higher than the glasstransition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material.Prior to being compressed by seam forming dies 12, the elements of seam603 (i.e., components 601 and 602 and stitching strand 605) are at aconstant initial temperature, which may room temperature of a factory.Once compressed by seam-forming dies 12, the temperature of the elementsof seam 603 rises to exceed the glass transition temperatures of boththe first and second thermoplastic polymer materials. When thetemperature of the elements of seam 603 exceeds the two glass transitiontemperatures, thermal bonding may occur (a) between components 601 and602 and (b) between stitching strand 605 and components 601 and 602.That is, both thermal bonds may be formed when the temperature of thecomponents of seam 603 exceeds the two glass transition temperatures.Note that the melting temperature of the second thermoplastic polymermaterial is higher than the glass transition temperature of the firstthermoplastic polymer material. As such, the second thermoplasticpolymer material in stitching strand 605 does not reach the meltingpoint in this example. As a result, stitching strand 605 may melt to alesser degree, as in the configurations of FIGS. 36 and 37A. Onceseam-forming dies 12 separate and the elements of seam 605 are removed,the temperature of the components may cool or otherwise decrease to theinitial temperature.

FIG. 39B also depicts a graph of the manner in which the temperature ofseam 603 changes between the steps discussed above for FIGS. 38B-38D.Moreover, this graph shows the situation where the melting temperatureof the second thermoplastic polymer material is lower than the glasstransition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material.Prior to being compressed by seam forming dies 12, the elements of seam603 (i.e., components 601 and 602 and stitching strand 605) are at aconstant initial temperature, which may room temperature of a factory.Once compressed by seam-forming dies 12, the temperature of thecomponents of seam 603 rises to exceed the glass transition temperatureof the first thermoplastic polymer material. When the temperature of thecomponents of seam 603 exceeds the glass transition temperature of thefirst thermoplastic polymer material, thermal bonding may occur (a)between components 601 and 602 and (b) between stitching strand 605 andcomponents 601 and 602. That is, both thermal bonds may be formed whenthe temperature of the components of seam 603 exceeds the glasstransition temperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material. Notethat the melting temperature of the second thermoplastic polymermaterial is lower than the glass transition temperature of the firstthermoplastic polymer material. As such, the second thermoplasticpolymer material in stitching strand 605 reaches the melting point inthis example. As a result, stitching strand 605 may melt to a greaterdegree, as in the configurations of FIGS. 37B and 37C. Once seam-formingdies separate and the components of seam 603 are removed, thetemperature of the components may cool or otherwise decrease to theinitial temperature.

Although the glass transition temperatures and the melt temperatures ofthe first and second thermoplastic polymer materials may conform to therelationships discussed above, other relationships may also be utilized.For example, the melting temperature of the second thermoplastic polymermaterial may be higher than the melting temperature of the firstthermoplastic polymer material, and the glass transition temperature ofthe second thermoplastic polymer material may be between the glasstransition and melting temperatures of the first thermoplastic material.As another example, the glass transition and melting temperatures of thesecond thermoplastic polymer material may be higher than the meltingtemperature of the first thermoplastic polymer material. The variousconcepts discussed above relating to the use of stitching strand 605 inseam 603 also applies to the configuration of seam 604. As an example,FIG. 40 depicts overlapping components 601 and 602 that are joined toform a seam 604 that includes stitching strand 605. That is, edge areasof components 601 and 602 overlap and lay against each other, wherethermal bonding forms seam 604, and stitching strand 605 extends throughthe edge areas of components 601 and 602. Moreover, seam 604 effectivelyincludes two thermal bonds. The first thermal bond is formed by thefirst thermoplastic polymer material from components 601 and 602. Thesecond thermal bond is formed by the second thermoplastic polymermaterial from stitching strand 605.

I. GENERAL PRODUCT CONFIGURATIONS

The above discussion and associated FIGS. 1-40 disclose various elementsthat may be incorporated into a variety of products, including (a) yarn100, thread 200, woven textile 300, and knitted textile 400; (b) fusedregions 303, 304, 403, and 404; (c) composite element 500; (d) seams 603and 604 from seam element 600, with or without stitching strand 605; and(e) thermal bonding to join or fuse. Any of these various elements maybe utilized alone or in combination in articles of apparel, such asshirts, pants, socks, footwear, outerwear, undergarments, and headwear.Various aspects of the various elements may also be utilized incontainers, upholstery for furniture, bed coverings, table coverings,towels, flags, tents, sails, and parachutes, as well as industrialpurposes that include automotive and aerospace applications, filtermaterials, medical textiles, geotextiles, agrotextiles, and industrialapparel. Accordingly, the various elements may be utilized in a varietyof products for both personal and industrial purposes.

Although the various elements may be utilized in a variety of products,the following discussion provides examples of articles of apparel. Thatis, the following discussion demonstrates numerous ways in which thevarious elements may be incorporated into a shirt 700 and footwear 800.More particularly, examples of various configurations of shirt 700 andfootwear 800 are provided in order to demonstrate products utilizingyarns, threads, and textiles that incorporate thermoplastic polymermaterials, as well as the manner in which thermal bonding may impartadvantages to the products. Accordingly, while the concepts outlinedbelow are specifically applied to various articles of apparel, theconcepts may be applied to a variety of other products.

J. SHIRT CONFIGURATIONS

A first configuration of shirt 700 is depicted in FIG. 41 as including atorso region 701 and a pair of arm regions 702. Torso region 701corresponds with a torso of a wearer and covers at least a portion ofthe torso when worn. An upper area of torso region 701 defines a neckopening 703 through which the neck and head of the wearer protrude whenshirt 700 is worn. Similarly, a lower area of torso region 701 defines awaist opening 704 through which the waist or pelvic area of the wearerprotrudes when shirt 700 is worn. Arm regions 702 extend outward fromtorso region 701 and respectively correspond with a right arm and a leftarm of the wearer when shirt 700 is worn. As such, one of arm regions702 covers at least a portion of the right arm, and the other of armregions 702 covers at least a portion of the left arm. Each of armregions 702 define an arm opening 705 through which the hands, wrists,or arms of the wearer protrude when shirt 700 is worn.

Torso region 701 and arm regions 702 are formed from various textileelements 706 that are joined at a plurality of seams 707. Textileelements 706 are generally formed to have the configuration of woventextile 300, knitted textile 400, or any other textile that incorporatesa thermoplastic polymer material. As such, textile elements 706 mayincorporate strands (e.g., yarn 100, thread 200) that have a pluralityof substantially aligned filaments formed from a thermoplastic polymermaterial. Although each of textile elements 706 may be woven or knitted,other textile elements 706 may be a non-woven textile or a polymersheet, for example, that incorporates a thermoplastic polymer material.Some of textile elements 706 may also be formed from cotton, silk,thermoset polymer filaments, or other materials that do not include athermoplastic polymer material. Shirt 700 may also include elasticcomponents, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other closure devices,for example.

Two of seams 707 extend between torso region 701 and arm regions 702 inorder to join various textile elements 706 together. Although notdepicted, additional seams 707 may extend along (a) side areas of torsoregion 701 to join front and back textile elements 706 and (b) rearareas of arm regions 702 to join edge areas of the textile element 706forming each arm region 702, for example. In general, seams 707 defineregions where edge areas of textile elements 706 are joined with eachother, possibly through thermal bonding. Referring to FIG. 42A, one ofseams 707 is depicted as having the general configuration of seam 603,but may also have the general configuration of seam 604. Moreover, anyof the various methods discussed above for forming seams 603 and 604,with or without stitching strand 605, may be utilized to form seams 707.As such, an article of apparel incorporating textile elements formedfrom a thermoplastic polymer material may include thermal bonds thatjoin textile elements at various seams.

Many of the edge areas of textile elements 706 are joined at seams 707.Other edge areas are present at openings 703, 704, and 705. In order toprevent fraying or unraveling of strands forming textile elements 706 atopenings 703, 704, and 705, various types of thermal bonds may beemployed. Referring to FIG. 42B, the edge area of textile element 706that forms waist opening 704 is thermal bonded to effectively fuse thevarious strands within textile element 706. That is, filaments or yarnsthat incorporate a thermoplastic polymer material may be thermal bondedwith each other adjacent to waist opening 704 to prevent fraying orunraveling of strands forming textile elements 706. Another manner inwhich thermal bonding may be utilized to prevent fraying or unravelingis depicted in FIG. 42C. More particularly, the edge area of textileelement 706 at one of arm openings 705 is turned inward and folded backon itself. A thermal bond is formed to join surfaces of textile element706, and the thermal bond also effectively fuses the various strandswithin textile element 706. That is, filaments or yarns that incorporatea thermoplastic polymer material may be thermal bonded with each otheradjacent to arm openings 705 to prevent fraying or unraveling of strandsforming textile elements 706.

A second configuration of shirt 700 is depicted in FIG. 43 as havingmany of the features discussed with reference to FIG. 41. Although seams707 may exhibit the configuration in FIG. 42A, seam 707 is depicted inFIG. 44A as having the general configuration of seam 604. As such, anedge area of one textile element 706 overlaps and is thermal bonded withan edge of the other textile element 706. A variety of seamconfigurations, including those of seams 603 and 604, may be utilized inarticles of apparel.

In order to impart different properties to specific areas of shirt 700,various fused regions 708 are formed in textile elements 706. Moreparticularly, fused regions 708 are formed around neck opening 703,waist opening 704, and each of arm openings 705. Given that each ofopenings 703-705 may be stretched as shirt 700 is put on an individualand taken off the individual, fused regions 708 are located aroundopenings 703-705 in order to impart greater stretch-resistance to theseareas. Strands incorporating a thermoplastic polymer material in fusedregions 708 are generally fused to a greater degree than in other areasof shirt 700. Similar to the discussion of FIGS. 42B and 42C above, someof fused regions 708 may prevent fraying or unraveling in the areasaround openings 703-705.

Given that elbow areas of shirt 700 may be subjected to relatively highabrasion as shirt 700 is worn, some of fused regions 708 may be locatedin the elbow areas to impart greater durability. Also, backpack strapsthat extend over shoulder areas of shirt 700 may abrade and stretch theshoulder areas. Additional fused regions 708 are, therefore, located inthe shoulder areas of shirt 200 to impart both durability andstretch-resistance. Portions of textile elements 706 that are located inthe shoulder areas and around seams 707 effectively form both seams 707and fused regions 708 in the shoulder areas. Two separate processes maybe utilized to form these areas. That is, one thermal bonding processmay form seams 707, and another thermal bonding process may form fusedregions 708 in the shoulder areas. In some processes, however, seams 707and fused regions 708 in the shoulder areas may be formed through asingle thermal bonding process.

During the thermal bonding that forms fused regions 708, areas oftextile elements 706 are heated and compressed. In addition to fusingstrands within textile elements 706, the heating and compression mayalso cause fused regions 708 to compress or reduce in thickness. Moreparticularly, processes that form a fused regions 708 may effectivelycause thinning in the areas of fused regions 708. This effect may beseen in FIG. 44B and may occur in other locations where thermal bondingor fusing forms areas similar to fused regions 303, 304, 403, 404, and708.

A third configuration of shirt 700 is depicted in FIG. 45 as includingvarious components 709 are secured to textile elements 706. Moreparticularly, components 709 are thermal bonded to an interior surfaceof shirt 700, as depicted in FIGS. 46A-46C. In other configurations,components 700 may be secured to an exterior surface of shirt 700.Components 709 may be additional textile elements that may incorporatethermoplastic polymer materials or may be formed from other materials.Additionally, components 709 may be a compressible material, such aselements of polymer foam. Components 709 may also be a polymer sheet orplate. Moreover, each of components 709 may be formed from differentmaterials to impart different properties to areas of shirt 700. Ineffect, the combination of textile elements 706 and components 709 formstructures similar to composite element 500.

Components 709 may have various configurations. If component 709 isanother textile that absorbs or wicks water, then the combination oftextile elements 706 and the other textile may be suitable forconfigurations of shirt 700 utilized during athletic activities where anindividual wearing shirt 700 is likely to perspire. If component 709 isa compressible material, such as an element of polymer foam, then thecombination of textile elements 706 and the compressible material may besuitable for configurations of shirt 70 where cushioning (i.e.,attenuation of impact forces) is advantageous, such as padding forathletic activities that may involve contact or impact with otherathletes, equipment, or the ground. If component 709 is a polymer sheetor plate, then the combination of textile elements 706 and the polymersheet or plate may be suitable for articles of apparel that impartprotection from acute impacts. Accordingly, a variety of materials orother components maybe joined through thermal bonding to textileelements 706 of shirt 700.

Various fused regions 708 are also formed in textile elements 706 andadjacent to some of components 709. As an example, two fused regions 708extend around the areas where components 709 are located in the sideareas of torso region 701. A pair of fused regions 708 extend over theareas where components 709 are located in the elbow areas of arm regions702. These fused regions 708 may be utilized to reinforce or addstretch-resistance to areas surrounding components 709 or providegreater durability to areas over components 709, for example.

A fourth configuration of shirt 700 is depicted in FIG. 47 as includinga pocket 710, which may be utilized to hold or otherwise containrelatively small objects (e.g., keys, wallet, identification card,mobile phone, portable music player). Pocket 710 is formed as twooverlapping layers of material, at least one of which is textile element708. Additionally, a thermal bond is utilized to join the overlappinglayers of material to each other. That is, a thermal bond joins aperiphery of the material element forming pocket 710 to textile element706. A central area of pocket 710 remains unbonded. A pocket similar topocket 710 may also be formed in other products and articles of apparel,including pants and jackets.

Based upon the above discussion, textile elements (e.g., textiles 300and 400) including a thermoplastic polymer material may be utilized inshirt 700. Given that many other types of apparel have constructionsthat are similar to shirt 700. That is, pants, socks, outerwear,undergarments, and headwear are all formed from one or more textileelements joined at seams. These other types of apparel may, therefore,incorporate structures that are substantially similar to seams 707(i.e., seams 603, 604). In order to impart different properties to areasof the apparel, various structures that are substantially similar tofused regions 708 (i.e., fused regions 303, 304, 403, 404) may also beutilized. Similarly, the other types of apparel may also incorporatestructures that are substantially similar to components 709 (i.e.,components 501, 502). By forming fused regions and combining the textileelements with other components, various properties and combinations ofproperties may be imparted to different areas of the apparel. That is,the various concepts disclosed herein may be utilized individually or incombination to engineer the properties of apparel to a specific purpose.

K. FOOTWEAR CONFIGURATIONS

A first configuration of footwear 800 is depicted in FIG. 49 asincluding a sole structure 810 and an upper 820. Sole structure 810 issecured to a lower area of upper 820 and extends between upper 820 andthe ground. Upper 820 provides a comfortable and secure covering for afoot of a wearer. As such, the foot may be located within upper 820,which effectively secures the foot within footwear 800, and solestructure 810 extends under the foot to attenuate forces, enhancestability, or influence the motions of the foot, for example.

Sole structure 810 includes a midsole 811, an outsole 812, and ansockliner 813. Midsole 811 is secured to a lower surface of upper 820and may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., apolyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reactionforces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot andthe ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. Infurther configurations, midsole 811 may incorporate fluid-filledchambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuateforces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot, ormidsole 811 may be primarily formed from a fluid-filled chamber. Outsole812 is secured to a lower surface of midsole 811 and may be formed froma wear-resistant rubber material that is textured to impart traction.Sockliner 813 is located within upper 820, as depicted in FIG. 50, andis positioned to extend under a lower surface of the foot. Although thisconfiguration for sole structure 810 provides an example of a solestructure that may be used in connection with upper 820, a variety ofother conventional or nonconventional configurations for sole structure810 may also be utilized.

Upper 820 may be formed from a variety of elements that are joinedtogether to form a structure for receiving and securing the footrelative to sole structure 810. As such, upper 820 extends alongopposite sides of the foot, over the foot, around a heel of the foot,and under the foot. Moreover, upper 820 defines a void 821, which is agenerally hollow area of footwear 800, that has a general shape of thefoot and is intended to receive the foot. Access to void 821 is providedby an ankle opening 822 located in at least a heel region. A lace 823extends through various lace apertures 824 and permits the wearer tomodify dimensions of upper 820 to accommodate the proportions of thefoot. More particularly, lace 823 permits the wearer to tighten upper820 around the foot, and lace 823 permits the wearer to loosen upper 820to facilitate entry and removal of the foot from the void (i.e., throughankle opening 822). As an alternative to lace apertures 824, upper 820may include other lace-receiving elements, such as loops, eyelets,hooks, and D-rings. In addition, upper 820 includes a tongue 825 thatextends between void 821 and lace 823 to enhance the comfort andadjustability of footwear 800. In some configurations, upper 820 mayalso incorporate other elements, such as reinforcing members, aestheticfeatures, a heel counter that limits heel movement, a wear-resistant toeguard, or indicia (e.g., a trademark) identifying the manufacturer.Accordingly, upper 820 is formed from a variety of elements that form astructure for receiving and securing the foot.

Portions of upper 820 that extend along sides of the foot, over thefoot, and under the foot include various textile elements 826, which aregenerally formed to have the configuration of woven textile 300, knittedtextile 400, or any other textile that incorporates a thermoplasticpolymer material. As such, textile elements 826 may incorporate strands(e.g., yarn 100, thread 200) that have a plurality of substantiallyaligned filaments formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Althougheach of textile elements 826 may be woven or knitted, other textileelements 826 may be a non-woven textile or a polymer sheet, for example,that incorporates a thermoplastic polymer material. Some of textileelements 826 may also be formed from cotton, silk, thermoset polymerfilaments, or other materials that do not include a thermoplasticpolymer material. Tongue 825 may also incorporate one or more of textileelements 826.

Although a single textile element 826 may form a relatively large areaof upper 820, multiple textile elements 826 are joined at various seams827. In general, seams 827 define regions where edge areas of textileelements 826 are joined with each other, possibly through thermalbonding. As an example, two seams 827 are located on opposite sides ofupper 820 and join a textile element 826 that forms lace apertures 824with a textile element 826 that extends along sides of the foot. Theseseams 827 exhibit the general configuration of seam 603, but may alsohave the general configuration of seam 604. An advantage to theconfiguration of seam 604 is that the edge areas of textile element 826do not protrude inward, which may cause discomfort for the wearer. Asanother example, two seams 827 are located on opposite sides of upper820 and join the textile element 826 that extends along sides of thefoot with a textile element 826 that extends under the foot, which maybe a strobel material. These seams 827 exhibit the general configurationof seam 604, but may also have the general configuration of seam 603.Accordingly, various textile elements 826 may be joined with seams 827,which may be formed through the various thermal bonding processesdiscussed above for forming seams 603 and 604.

Two of seams 707 extend between torso region 701 and arm regions 702 inorder to join various textile elements 706 together. Although notdepicted, additional seams 707 may extend along (a) side areas of torsoregion 701 to join front and back textile elements 706 and (b) rearareas of arm regions 702 to join edge areas of the textile element 706forming each arm region 702, for example. Referring to FIG. 42A, one ofseams 707 is depicted as having the general configuration of seam 603,but may also have the general configuration of seam 604. Moreover, anyof the various methods discussed above for forming seams 603 and 604,with or without stitching strand 605, may be utilized to form seams 707.As such, an article of apparel incorporating textile elements formedfrom a thermoplastic polymer material may include thermal bonds thatjoin textile elements at various seams.

A relatively large percentage of footwear 800 may be formed fromthermoplastic polymer materials. As discussed above, textile elements826 may be at least partially formed from thermoplastic polymermaterials. Although lace 823 is not generally joined to upper 820through bonding or stitching, lace 823 may also be formed from athermoplastic polymer material. Similarly, each of midsole 811 andoutsole 812 may be formed from a thermoplastic polymer material.Depending upon the number of elements of footwear 800 that incorporatethermoplastic polymer materials or are entirely formed fromthermoplastic polymer materials, the percentage by mass of footwear 800that is formed from the thermoplastic polymer materials may range fromthirty percent to one-hundred percent. In some configurations, at leastsixty percent of a combined mass of sole structure 810 and upper 820 maybe from thermoplastic polymer materials. Accordingly, a majority or evenall of footwear 400 may be formed from one or more thermoplastic polymermaterials.

Adhesives are conventionally utilized to join uppers to sole structuresand midsoles to outsoles. An advantage of forming various elements offootwear 800 from thermoplastic polymer materials is that a thermal bondmay be utilized to join upper 820 to sole structure 810 and midsole 811to outsole 812. In addition to reducing the environmental effects ofutilizing adhesives, the recyclability of footwear 800 may also beenhanced.

A second configuration of footwear 800 is depicted in FIG. 51 as havingmany of the features discussed above. In order to impart differentproperties to specific areas of upper 820, three generally linear fusedregions 828 extend from a heel area to a forefoot area of footwear 800.As an example, fused regions 828 may impart stretch-resistance. That is,upper 820 may have a tendency to stretch during walking, running, orother ambulatory activities, and fused regions 828 impart greaterstretch-resistance along the length of footwear 800. Given that textileelements 826 may (a) be woven textile 300, knitted textile 400, or anyother textile that incorporates a thermoplastic polymer material or (b)incorporate strands (e.g., yarn 100, thread 200) that are formed from athermoplastic polymer material, the strands in fused regions 828 aregenerally fused to a greater degree than in other areas of footwear 800.

During the thermal bonding process that forms fused regions 828, areasof textile elements 826 are heated and compressed. In addition to fusingstrands within textile elements 826, the heating and compression mayalso cause fused regions 828 to compress or reduce in thickness. Moreparticularly, processes that form a fused regions 828 may effectivelycause thinning in the areas of fused regions 828. This effect may beseen in FIG. 52 and may occur in other locations where thermal bondingor fusing forms areas similar to fused regions 303, 304, 403, and 404.

Although upper 820 may be formed to have a thickness of a single layerof textile elements 826, upper 820 may also have a thickness of multiplelayers. Referring again to FIG. 52, the areas of upper 820 that extendalong sides of the foot include textile elements 826, as well ascomponents 829 and 830. More particularly, each side of upper 820 has alayered configuration wherein (a) textile element 826 forms an exteriorsurface of upper 820, (b) component 829 forms an interior surface thatdefines a portion of void 821, and (c) component 830 is located betweentextile element 826 and component 829 to form a middle layer. Asexamples, component 829 may absorb or wick water to manage perspirationwithin footwear 800, and component 830 may be a compressible polymerfoam material that enhances the comfort of footwear 800.

On each side of upper 820, textile element 826 may be thermal bonded tocomponent 830. If one or both of components 829 and 830 incorporate athermoplastic polymer material, then components 829 and 830 may also bethermal bonded to each other. The process for joining textile element826 and components 829 and 830 in a layered configuration may,therefore, be similar to the thermal bonding process discussed above forcomposite element 500.

A third configuration of footwear 800 is depicted in FIG. 53 asincluding further examples of fused regions 828. One of fused regions828 extends around and is proximal to ankle opening 822, which may addgreater stretch-resistance to the area around ankle opening 822 andassists with securely-retaining the foot within upper 820. Another fusedregion 828 is located in the heel region and extends around a rear areaof footwear 800 to form a heel counter that resists movement of the heelwithin upper 820. A further fused region 828 is located in the forefootarea and adjacent to sole structure 810, which adds greater durabilityto the forefoot area. More particularly, the forefoot area of upper 820may experience greater abrasive-wear than other portions of upper 820,and the addition of fused region 828 in the forefoot area may enhancethe abrasion-resistance of footwear 800 in the forefoot area. Anadditional fused region 828 extends around lace apertures 824, which mayenhance the durability and stretch-resistance of areas that receive lace823. This fused region 828 also extends downward in various locations toan area that is proximal sole structure 810 in order to enhance thestretch-resistance along the sides of footwear 800. More particularly,tension in lace 823 may place tension in the sides of upper 820. Byforming fused regions 828 that extend downward along the sides of upper820, the stretch in upper 820 may be reduced.

A fourth configuration of footwear 400 is depicted in FIG. 54 asincluding three fused region 828 with shapes of the letters “A,” “B,”and “C.” Fused regions 828 may be utilized to modify various propertiesof textile elements 826, including the properties of permeability,durability, and stretch-resistance. Various aesthetic properties mayalso be modified by forming fused regions 828, including thetransparency, saturation of a color, and contrast in textile elements826. Utilizing this change in aesthetic properties, fused regions 828may be utilized to form indicia in areas of footwear 800. That is, fusedregions 828 may be utilized to form a name or logo of a team or company,the name or initials of an individual, or an esthetic pattern, drawing,or element. Similarly, fused regions 828 may be utilized to form indiciain shirt 700, other articles of apparel, or any other productincorporating textiles with thermoplastic polymer materials.

As an alternative to forming indicia with fused regions 828, otherelements may be thermal bonded to upper 820 to form indicia. Forexample, a polymer sheet may be cut to form the letters “A,” “B,” and“C” and then joined with the sides of upper 820 through thermal bondingto textile elements 826. As a related matter, elements of woven textile300 or knitted textile 400, for example, may be thermal bonded orotherwise joined to various products to form indicia. For example,elements of woven textile 300 or knitted textile 400 with the shapes ofthe letters “A,” “B,” and “C” may be thermal bonded to the sides of anarticle of footwear where the upper is primarily formed from leather,synthetic leather, or any other material. Given that woven textile 300,knitted textile 400, or other textiles incorporating a thermoplasticpolymer material may be thermal bonded to a variety of other materials,elements these elements may be thermal bonded to a variety of productsin order to form indicia.

Based upon the above discussion, textile elements (e.g., textiles 300and 400) including a thermoplastic polymer material may be utilized infootwear 800. Other types of footwear may also incorporate structuresthat are substantially similar to seams 827 (i.e., seams 603, 604). Inorder to impart different properties to areas of the footwear, variousstructures that are substantially similar to fused regions 828 (i.e.,fused regions 303, 304, 403, 404) may also be utilized. Similarly, othertypes of footwear may also incorporate structures that are substantiallysimilar to components 829 and 830 (i.e., components 501, 502). Byforming fused regions and combining the textile elements with othercomponents, various properties and combinations of properties may beimparted to footwear. That is, the various concepts disclosed herein maybe utilized individually or in combination to engineer the properties offootwear to a specific purpose.

L. SHAPING TEXTILES

Woven textile 300 and knitted textile 400, as respectively depicted inFIGS. 7 and 9, have a generally planar configuration. Textilesincorporating a thermoplastic polymer material may also exhibit avariety of three-dimensional or otherwise non-planar configurations. Asan example, an element of a shaped textile 900 is depicted as having awavy or undulating configuration in FIG. 55A. Shaped textile 900 may beeither of textiles 300 and 400, for example, as well as any textile thatincludes strands (e.g., yarn 100, thread 200) incorporating athermoplastic polymer material. A similar configuration with squaredwaves in shaped textile 900 is depicted in FIG. 55B. As another example,shaped textile 900 may have waves that extend in two directions toimpart an egg crate configuration, as depicted in FIG. 55C. Accordingly,shaped textile 900 may be formed to have a variety of three-dimensionalor otherwise non-planar configurations.

A variety of processes may be utilized to form a three-dimensionalconfiguration in shaped textile 900. In general, however, the processesinvolve forming thermal bonds within shaped textile 900 to impart thenon-planar configuration. Referring to FIGS. 56A-56C, an example of amethod is depicted as involving heat press that includes a pair ofshaped platens 14, which each have surfaces that correspond with theresulting three-dimensional aspects of shaped textile 900. Initially,shaped textile 900 is located between shaped platens 14, as depicted inFIG. 56A. That is, a planar textile element that becomes shaped textile900 is located within the heat press, which has non-planar surfaces.Shaped platens 14 then translate or otherwise move toward each other inorder to contact and compress shaped textile 900, as depicted in FIG.56B. In order to form the three-dimensional configuration in shapedtextile 900, heat from one or both of shaped platens 14 is applied toshaped textile 900 so as to soften or melt the thermoplastic polymermaterial within strands forming shaped textile 900. As such, shapedtextile 900 is heated to at least a glass transition temperature of thethermoplastic polymer material within shaped textile 900. Uponseparating shaped platens 14 and permitting shaped textile 900 to cool,as depicted in FIG. 56C, shaped textile 900 exhibits thethree-dimensional configuration from the surfaces of shaped platens 14.In effect, cooling the textile element forming shaped textile 900 setsor otherwise imparts the non-planar configuration. Through this process,shaped textile 900 is molded to have a non-planar configuration, butother shaping or molding processes may be utilized. Although heat may beapplied through conduction, radio frequency heating, ultrasonic heating,radiant heating, laser heating, or chemical heating may also be used.

Based upon the above discussion, a textile incorporating a thermoplasticpolymer material may be shaped or molded to exhibit a three-dimensionalor non-planar configuration. When incorporated into products (e.g.,shirt 700, footwear 800), these features may provide both structural andaesthetic enhancements to the products. For example, thethree-dimensional configurations may provide enhanced impact forceattenuation and greater permeability by increasing surface area.

M. RECYCLING

Woven textile 300 and knitted textile 400 are substantially formed froma thermoplastic polymer material. Given that textile elements 706 ofshirt 700 may have the configuration of either of woven textile 300 andknitted textile 400, for example, a majority or substantially all ofshirt 700 may be formed from the thermoplastic polymer material.Similarly, a relatively large percentage of footwear 800 may also beformed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Unlike many articles ofapparel, therefore, the materials within shirt 700 and footwear 800 maybe recycled following their useful lives.

Utilizing shirt 700 as an example, the thermoplastic polymer materialfrom shirt 700 may be extracted, recycled, and incorporated into anotherproduct (e.g., apparel, container, upholstery) as a non-woven textile, awoven textile, a knitted textile, a polymer foam, or a polymer sheet.This process is generally shown in FIG. 57, in which shirt 700 isrecycled in a recycling center 15, and thermoplastic polymer materialfrom shirt 700 is incorporated into one or more of another shirt 700,footwear 800, or another product. Moreover, given that a majority orsubstantially all of shirt 700 is formed from the thermoplastic polymermaterial, then a majority or substantially all of the thermoplasticpolymer material may be utilized in another product following recycling.Although the thermoplastic polymer material from shirt 700 was initiallyutilized within one textile, such as woven textile 300, thethermoplastic polymer material from shirt 700 may be subsequentlyutilized in another element of textile, such as knitted textile 400.Continuing, the newly-formed shirt 700 and footwear 800 may also berecycled through a similar process. Accordingly, an advantage of formingshirt 700, footwear 800, or other products with the various strands andtextiles discussed above relates to recyclability.

N. CONCLUSION

Yarn 100, thread 200, woven textile 300, knitted textile 400, compositeelement 500, seam element 600, shirt 700, and footwear 800 all are atleast partially formed from a thermoplastic polymer material. Variousfused regions may be formed in these elements through thermal bondingprocesses to modify various properties that include permeability,durability, and stretch-resistance. Various components (textiles,polymer sheets, foam layers, strands) may also be secured to or combinedwith these elements through thermal bonding processes to impartadditional properties or advantages. Seams may be formed to join theseelements with thermal bonding processes. Accordingly, the variousstructures and techniques discussed above combined to form numerousproducts and impart a variety of properties to the products.

The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying figures withreference to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by thedisclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various featuresand concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of theinvention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerousvariations and modifications may be made to the configurations describedabove without departing from the scope of the present invention, asdefined by the appended claims.

1. An article of apparel comprising a plurality of textile elementsjoined to each other at seams to form a structure for receiving a partof a wearer, the textile elements including strands that have aplurality of substantially aligned filaments formed from a thermoplasticpolymer material.
 2. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, whereinthe textile elements are thermal bonded to each other at the seams. 3.The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the seams include ajoining strand that stitches the textile elements to each other, thejoining strand including a thermoplastic polymer material.
 4. Thearticle of apparel recited in claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic polymermaterial of the filaments and the thermoplastic polymer material of thejoining strand are thermoplastic polyurethane materials.
 5. The articleof apparel recited in claim 3, wherein the thermoplastic polymermaterial of the filaments has a higher melting temperature than thethermoplastic polymer material of the joining strand.
 6. The article ofapparel recited in claim 3, wherein the joining strand is thermal bondedto the textile elements at the seams.
 7. The article of apparel recitedin claim 1, wherein the seams include a thread that stitches the textileelements to each other, the thread including a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments, at least ninety-five percent of amaterial of the filaments being a thermoplastic polymer material.
 8. Thearticle of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of thetextile elements has a fused region and an unfused region, the filamentsbeing thermal bonded to each other in the fused region, and thefilaments being unbonded to each other in the unfused region.
 9. Thearticle of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of thetextile elements has (a) an unfused region where the filaments arepresent and (b) a fused region where the thermoplastic polymer materialof the filaments are melted and thermal bonded to form a non-filamentousarea.
 10. The article of apparel recited in claim 1, wherein the apparelhas a configuration of footwear with an upper and a sole structuresecured to each other, the upper being at least partially formed fromthe textile elements.
 11. An article of apparel comprising: a pair oftextile elements at least partially formed from a first thermoplasticpolyurethane material; and a seam where a strand joins the textileelements to each other, the strand being at least partially formed froma second thermoplastic polyurethane material, the textile elements beingthermal bonded to each other at the seam with the first thermoplasticpolyurethane material, and the strand being thermal bonded to thetextile elements at the seam with the second thermoplastic polyurethanematerial.
 12. The article of apparel recited in claim 11, wherein amelting temperature of the first polyurethane material is higher than amelting temperature of the second thermoplastic polyurethane material.13. The article of apparel recited in claim 12, wherein aglass-transition temperature of the first polyurethane material ishigher than a glass-transition temperature of the second thermoplasticpolyurethane material.
 14. The article of apparel recited in claim 11,wherein the textile elements are one of a woven textile and a knittedtextile that includes at least one strand with a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments formed from the first thermoplasticpolymer material.
 15. The article of apparel recited in claim 11,wherein the first textile elements are formed from a plurality offilaments, at least ninety-five percent of a material of the filamentsbeing the first thermoplastic polymer material.
 16. The article ofapparel recited in claim 11, wherein the strand is a thread.
 17. Thearticle of apparel recited in claim 11, wherein the apparel has aconfiguration of footwear with an upper and a sole structure secured toeach other, the upper being at least partially formed from the textileelements.
 18. Footwear comprising: an upper having at least one textileelement with a woven or knitted structure, the textile element includinga strand with a plurality of substantially aligned filaments, at leastninety-five percent of a material of the filaments being a thermoplasticpolymer material; and a sole structure thermal bonded to the upper withthe thermoplastic polymer material.
 19. The footwear recited in claim18, wherein the sole structure is at least partially formed from thethermoplastic polymer material.
 20. The footwear recited in claim 18,wherein the textile element and another textile element are thermalbonded to each other at a seam with the thermoplastic polymer material.21. The footwear recited in claim 18, wherein a joining strand isstitched to a seam between the textile element and another textileelement, the joining strand including a thermoplastic polymer material.22. Footwear having an upper and a sole structure secured to each other,the upper comprising: a plurality of material elements joined to definea void for receiving a foot of a wearer, at least one of the materialelements being a woven or knitted textile that is formed from athermoplastic polymer material; and a lace that engages a plurality oflace-receiving elements in a throat area of the upper, the lace beingformed from at least one strand that includes a plurality ofsubstantially aligned filaments, at least ninety-five percent of thefilaments being formed from the thermoplastic polymer material.